Every team in the NBA needs to look at its assets. Sometimes, the best thing to do is accumulate as many assets as possible. Other times, you need to consolidate your assets.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have done a fantastic job of accumulating assets. They’ve got the most first-round picks that any team has ever acquired. Will they consolidate their assets soon?
We don’t know. General manager Sam Presti has been coy about the possibility of the Thunder making a big move. With that said, they may need to consolidate assets soon. Could they spend them on Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards?
NBA Trade Proposal
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort, G/F Ousmane Dieng, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 6 Protected – PHI via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
Will the Wizards follow the Thunder’s blueprint? It’s going to be difficult. The Thunder received a remarkable haul for their veterans when they decided to rebuild. It’s too late for the Wizards to do the same.
Arguably, they held onto Bradley Beal for too long. By the time they moved him, they couldn’t receive the same kind of haul that the Thunder did for Paul George and Russell Westbrook. Does that mean that their rebuild is ruined?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Absolutely not. Bilal Couliaby has flashed plenty of potential. The Wizards still have first-round picks moving forward. Should they move Kuzma to increase the odds of those picks landing in the lottery?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
Realistically, the Wizards are heading for the high lottery anyway. Kuzma doesn’t seem to be changing that fact. Yet, that’s partly why they’d move him.
What’s the point of keeping Kuzma on their payroll? The Wizards are years away from contention whether they keep him or not. It may be smarter to flip him for young players and/or assets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
That’s what Washington is doing here. Dieng is unpolished, but he’s got a lot of potential. Meanwhile, this lightly protected pick is very likely to convey. Should the Thunder move that pick?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
The Thunder will miss Dort. He’s an aggressive point-of-attack defender and a reliable floor spacer. With that said, he’s also undersized as a wing. The Thunder could replace him functionally by increasing Cason Wallace’s minutes.
In the meantime, they could use a big wing like Kuzma. His versatile skillset will make them a better team. Kuzma can pass, shoot, defend, and handle the ball.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
In theory, Ousmane Dieng is supposed to be the same player. So far, he’s not developing very quickly. Meanwhile, the Thunder are firmly in the title race. In other words – it’s time for them to consolidate their assets.
