A 3-Team Trade to Save Kyle Kuzma, Move Buddy Hield
The Washington Wizards have seemingly embraced the rebuild in the post-Bradley Beal era. Michael Winger, president of Monumental Basketball since May, appears to have the leeway to tear down the roster and start over.
But where does that leave Kyle Kuzma, who re-signed with the team to a four-year, $90-$102.2 million contract? The free-agent market was tight in July, so the one-time NBA champion required the Wizards to get paid, but he needs to go elsewhere if he wants to be part of a winning organization during the prime of his career.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers, led by emerging star Tyrese Haliburton, are among the better teams in the Eastern Conference. With Buddy Hield almost 31 and likely nearing the end of his stay in Indiana, the younger Kuzma (28) may be the better long-term fit at a position of need on a relatively reasonable salary that descends each season.
The Wizards wouldn't have much use for Hield despite his ability to knock down three-point shots in high volume. Enter the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with an odd mix of championship aspirations and salary-cap restraint. The Sixers have eyes on the 2024 free-agent class, which is why Hield on an expiring deal could make a lot of sense.
It's time for another theoretical multi-team trade...
Full Trade Details Slide
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As of January 15, when Kuzma's signing restriction expires:
Pacers get:
- Kyle Kuzma (via Wizards)
- Anthony Gill (via Wizards)
- Furkan Korkmaz (via Sixers)
- $5 million (via Sixers)
Wizards get:
- Marcus Morris Sr. (via Sixers)
- KJ Martin (via Sixers)
- Jaden Springer (via Sixers)
- Isaiah Jackson (via Pacers)
- Least favorable 2024 first-round pick from the Houston Rockets (top-4 protected), LA Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz (top-10 protected) and Indiana (via Pacers)
- 2024 second-rounder from the New York Knicks (via Sixers)
- 2029 second-rounder from the Clippers (via Sixers)
Sixers get:
- Buddy Hield (via Pacers)
- Delon Wright (Via Wizards)
Why the Indiana Pacers Should Do It
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In a sense, Haliburton has sped up the Pacers' timeline. He's that good, but Indiana doesn't need to mortgage the future to improve immediately. The squad is already well structured with players like Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown Jr. and Aaron Nesmith. The Pacers can patiently develop No. 8 pick Jarace Walker while seeing what they have with Obi Toppin (bumped to the bench after this trade), Andrew Nembhard and others.
Walker may be a cornerstone piece, but that may take two to three years, and Indiana needs a starting forward now to help the team compete at a higher level. Targets like OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam would be expensive to pry from the Toronto Raptors, and both are expecting significant new contracts. As an organization, the Pacers typically focus on quality players on value deals instead of star-chasing/overpaying.
Kuzma is the right compromise with a sizable but not overbearing contract that drops in price yearly. Assuming he's traded on his first day of eligibility (January 15), Kuzma would get a bonus nearing $12 million. While he can waive it, the assumption is that his cap number for the Pacers after a trade would be $28.5 million. His contract also has various incentives, but even if he hits them, Indiana isn't near the NBA's luxury tax threshold ($165.3 million).
With the Los Angeles Lakers, Kuzma grew into a steady defender on a championship team. After a few years in Washington on some bad Wizards squads, the Pacers would need him to recommit to playing both sides of the ball.
Indiana also adds Korkmaz and Gill to help make the complex trade legal and take in $5 million for most of that extra salary. After the transaction, Indiana ends up slightly over the $136 million salary cap.
The price paid is Hield, who the team isn't likely to return after this season and Jackson, whose role in the rotation has diminished. The Pacers, who have two first-round picks in the 2024 draft, give up the lowest (currently projected to be about No. 23) for a significant upgrade at forward.
Why the Philadelphia 76ers Should Do It
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The Sixers face the challenge of improving their run at a championship without adding salary beyond this season. The three-team deal improves the team's 2024 cap by shedding Springer's $4 million. While Philadelphia might like to add one player who can shoot and defend (a premium in the modern NBA), Hield would help space the floor for stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and Wright is a strong point-of-attack defender.
The Sixers don't give up vital rotational players (Morris and Korkmaz), while sending two prospects (Martin and Springer) and two second-round picks to make this deal work. The team adds to its tax bill by almost $4 million. If getting out of the tax is a priority, Philadelphia could look to restructure the deal without Wright.
The 76ers also send $5 million to the Pacers for balance purposes. Pick selection and finer details like cash can be resolved by the respective front offices without changing the broader structure of the trade. And while Philadelphia may have success shopping in 2024 free agency, having the rights to retain Hield and Wright could still prove valuable in building next year's squad.
Why the Washington Wizards Should Do It
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The Wizards would need to decide if this is the best they can get for Kuzma by the February 8 deadline or if they should wait until the offseason to see if the market improves.
They'd receive two picks in June (including a low first) and a distant second from the Clippers. The team also gets a look at two rookie-scale players from the 2021 draft in Jackson (No. 22) and Springer (No. 28). The team gets Martin in the last year of his contract. While he'll be unrestricted in July, Washington could look to extend him (for up to two additional years, $25.7 million) before the end of June if he's a good fit.
Also, the Wizards would add a couple of $8 million trade exceptions for Kuzma and Wright. Washington also has to cut one guaranteed player to make the deal legal. For now, that's Mike Muscala, but the team can try to trade him to another team first or let go of another (just not one of the incoming players from the Pacers or Sixers). Washington could try to move Morris on in another deal or buy him out.
But Washington gets younger players and draft compensation to continue the rebuilding process. The Pacers get a forward to help the team compete in the playoffs, and the Sixers bring in two short-term pieces they hope can help them win a championship.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
