NBA Mock Trade: Thunder Cash In on Kyle Kuzma

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, plenty of groups have expressed curiosity in Wizards’ ahead Kyle Kuzma, regardless of Washington’s common supervisor Tommy Sheppard contemplating him part of the the crew’s future core.

Charania reported that each the Hawks and Suns had each reached out a couple of potential deal surrounding the 27-year-old. And that Washington had proven some curiosity in Atlanta’s John Collins, which means a possible deal is not utterly out of the query.

While all indicators are pointing in direction of Kuzma remaining with the 11-13 Wizards, ought to the crew resolve to go for a full reset within the close to future, he could possibly be on the desk.

And that’s the place the Oklahoma City Thunder, with their unprecedented cache of belongings, are available.

The Thunder have a particularly particular sort: prolonged, do-it-all playmakers who can change and defenders almost all positions. And whereas Kuzma isn’t a precise match, he’s fairly shut.

Averaging 20.6 factors, 7.7 rebounds and, most significantly to OKC, 3.6 assists per sport this season, Kuzma could possibly be a fantastic piece for OKC so as to add to the beginning bunch, off the bench as a sixth man or something in between.

Here’s what a possible deal for Kuzma might appear like between OKC and Washington:

Oklahoma City will get: Kyle Kuzma

Washington will get: 2024 Jazz First Round Pick, 2025 Heat First Round Pick, 2023 Wizards Second Round Pick

While Kuzma’s a helpful piece, he’s obtained restricted time left on his affordable deal, and can doubtless desire a bit extra after it ends subsequent season.

Oklahoma City doubtless has no bodily belongings that Washington needs that they are prepared to surrender for the time being, so picks are all that is left.

Two first spherical alternatives, one in all which coming from a crew who will doubtless start rebuilding quickly, and the opposite from a crew who’s underachieving so far this season, is probably going greater than the Wizards will get elsewhere.

To sweeten the pot, Oklahoma City might ship the Wizards upcoming second rounder again. And OKC can at all times add extra picks on ought to the deal require it.

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