With February 6 NBA commerce deadline quick approaching, Wizards of Washington followers are questioning what the crew will do with Kyle KuzmaJonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon. The three veterans could possibly be traded for draft capital and/or younger gamers to speed up Washington’s (6-29) rebuild.
The Sacramento The Kings stay “a crew to look at” concerning Kuzma, through ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel.
“Kuzma was attracting commerce curiosity from a number of groups earlier than the vacation season. Its market has since cooled, though Kings of Sacramento stay a crew to look at for the Wizards ahead in the event that they enter right into a commerce with the Nets for [Cam] Johnson,” Siegel stated. “The Warriors and Lakers gave up pursuing Kuzma after reaching offers to [Dennis] Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith, respectively. The Pacers have additionally remained silent concerning Kuzma right now, in keeping with sources.
Kuzma is averaging 15.1 factors on 44.8% taking pictures with 5.4 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists in 26.7 minutes per recreation this season. The 29-year-old has missed 17 competitions because of varied accidents, though he’s not listed on the Wizards damage report, through ESPN.
“Except a shock crew emerges, the Kings seem like Kuzma’s almost certainly vacation spot if they’re moved on the commerce deadline,” Siegel continued.
The Utah alumnus continues to be below contract by means of 2027, so Washington has no have to rush a commerce, particularly with the market seemingly calm. The Wizards may wait till the offseason and even longer, as a result of Kuzma brings worth as a veteran scoring presence that their youthful gamers can study from.
The Kings (18-19) appear patrons on the deadline regardless of hearth head coach Mike Brown amid disappointing circumstances marketing campaign, however Washington holds the playing cards on this scenario. THE Wizards have a plethora of draft picks plus Kuzma’s long-term deal, so their rebuild is on observe both approach. Thus, Sacramento won’t be able to underestimate them for the providers of the previous NBA champion.
Will the Wizards commerce Jonas Valanciunas or Malcolm Brogdon?
Just like Kuzma, Washington has time to commerce Valanciunas. The Lithuanian worldwide can also be below contract by means of 2027, as he signed a brand new three-year, $30 million contract in a sign-and-trade cope with the New Orleans Pelicans in July.
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Valanciunas’ common annual wage of $10.1 million, nevertheless, makes him a worthwhile goal for groups in want of a veteran large man. The Golden State Warriors are a kind of groups, through Siegel.
“Jonas Valanciunas, Nikola Vucevic, Chris Boucher, Day’Ron Sharpe and Nick Richards are 5 of essentially the most talked about facilities on the commerce market, and the Dubs have been linked to Valanciunas and Vucevic in latest weeks,” Siegel reported. .
The Warriors (19-18) are one other underachieving crew, and 36-year-old Steph Curry cannot lead them perpetually. Valanciunas would slot in properly as a frontcourt increase, contemplating Golden State would not have a real heart apart from 24-year-old rookie Quinten Put up, who has performed in two video games.
With the Warriors determined to capitalize on Curry’s remaining time within the NBA, and with Valanciunas on a team-friendly deal, the Wizards even have leverage on this scenario. The 32-year-old has been efficient for Washington coming off the bench this season, scoring 11.9 factors on 55.3% taking pictures with 8.1 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per recreation.
Brogdon (foot), nevertheless, is a special story. The previous Sixth Man of the Yr carries a $22.5 million cap hit and shall be in free company this offseason, so Washington is at a drawback from that standpoint. Moreover, he suffered from accidents, as he additionally missed 17 video games and is excluded for the Wizards’ recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night time, through Rotowire.
Nevertheless, Brogdon continues to be efficient when wholesome, averaging 13.8 factors on 44.3% taking pictures with 4.1 rebounds and three.9 assists in 24.8 minutes per recreation this season. The 32-year-old can be a helpful piece for any contending crew in want of backcourt depth.
That being stated, there is no draw back to maintaining Brogdon for Washington both. The previous Rookie of the Yr is one other revered veteran that youthful guards like Bilal Coulibaly and Bub Carrington can study from because the season goes on. Investing in mentors within the locker room is simply as necessary as draft capital.
Between their draft picks, contracts and on-court leaders, the Wizards are in a very good place heading into the commerce deadline.
