Four Kyle Kuzma trades the Washington Wizards should consider
By Josh Felton
The Washington Wizards could look to move for veteran players and look to continue their plan to contend.
If the Washington Wizards for whatever reason choose not to extend Deni Avdija’s contract or resign Rui Hachimura this offseason, then Royce O’Neale can fill one of their roles on a friendly contract. Patty Mills has also been one of the league’s best shooters over the past decade. In his fourteen-year career, he has shot over 40% from three in half of them.
A 39% three point shooter for his career, Mills would be the best three point shooter on the team when accounting for volume. This is another opportunity for the Wizards to continue to increase their odds at landing generational prospect Victor Wembanyama and giving another go at a playoff run next season.
Since Jacque Vaughn took over as head coach, the Nets are 18-7, which is the best record in the NBA since November 1, the defense has improved by almost ten points per 100 possessions since he took over. The Nets have done this largely without the services of Patty Mills as he’s missed half the season due to injury.
It’s tempting for the Nets to pull the trigger on a trade like this simply because despite the clear improvements over the past month, they are still viewed as a step behind Milwaukee and Boston in the Eastern Conference.
Making a splash trade for Kyle Kuzma could be an attempt to salvage what has been of the Nets experiment with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. It’s uncertain if Irving will resign or if the Nets will even offer him a contract this summer, so if the Nets really want to make this season count, it may suit them to throw all their cards in on a Kuzma trade before it’s too late.