Wizards come away with elite big pairing in latest trade idea

Would the Wizards make this deal?

At some point, the Wizards have to stop posturing about wanting to keep Kyle Kuzma. He has been very clear that he wants to play somewhere else this summer, and the Wizards aren’t going anywhere noteworthy this season. Moving him by the Trade Deadline is the logical move whether they want to stay competitive or try for a high pick.

If the plan is to try and build around this core and not bottom out, then turning Kuzma into a “star” under contract is a reasonable move. It’s a lot of depth being sent out, but the Wizards have a logjam at power forward as it is, and Monte Morris isn’t a long-term game-changer at point guard. It is a lot of players, but the needle-movers are Kuzma and Ayton, and Ayton is the better player.

Can a frontcourt pairing of Kristaps Porzingis and Deandre Ayton work? Having two bigs is back in style in the NBA, and Porzingis’ ability to space the floor helps make it viable. Neither is particularly quick-footed, but playing in a conservative coverage the two could be the foundation of a solid defense. The Wizards would be better off with a great wing, but those aren’t growing on trees.

It’s very possible that in six months the Wizards have watched Kyle Kuzma walk, have overpaid Hachimura and are even further from being competitive than they are now. Making this deal gives them a solid trio to build around, even if none of those three really brings much excitement. Yes, they probably make this deal, and there’s a chance it works really well.