Grade the Trade: Wizards flip Kyle Kuzma for top-5 pick in NBA Draft, 2 players

Grade the Trade: Washington Wizards’ perspective

Trading Kyle Kuzma would make the Washington Wizards worse. But heading into next year, that’s exactly what they want to be.

They just finished the year with their worst record in franchise history and were rewarded with the second pick in the draft. But they did it in a year where there aren’t expected to be any generational talents available.

Next year, Cooper Flagg will be headlining the 2025 NBA Draft. If the Wizards can tank effectively for a second straight season, they will have a good chance at landing the first pick and, in turn, Flagg.

Outside of the realm of tanking, though, getting a second top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft gives the Wizards two chances at landing a top-tier young player.

There may not be a generational talent available, but there are plenty of solid prospects for the Wizards to choose from. Moving Kuzma for one of them is exactly what this Washington team should be looking to do.

Whether it be for a point guard like Stephon Castle of Reed Sheppard or a big man like Donovan Clingan or Alex Sarr, Washington could walk away with two great young players.

Add in the chance for them to help Quentin Grimes revive his career and landing Isaiah Stewart as an enforcer, and this trade would be a huge win for the Wizards.

Grade: A