Dallas Mavericks land Kyle Kuzma in proposed blockbuster trade

The Dallas Mavericks started the season as one of the best offenses in the NBA, with a red-hot 8-2 record through their first 10 games. However, reality is setting in for Mavericks fans as a tougher run of games leaves them 10-6 and fifth in the West. After a series of bad performances that saw them lose to the Bucks and Clippers while narrowly avoiding a 20-point meltdown against the Lakers. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are catapulting the offense to the top of the league, but roster flaws in size across the frontcourt are hurting the Mavs defensively.

Despite adding Grant Williams and Derrick Jones Jr. to bolster their frontcourt, it isn’t enough to compete in the West. As a result, they should be calling the hapless Wizards, who are 14th in the East and have a 28-year-old forward who could be a difference-maker in Dallas. Kyle Kuzma is not on the same timeline as the rebuilding Wizards and could be moved closer to the winter if the team looks to be tanking once again.

Trade Details

Washington Wizards Receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)

Dallas Mavericks Receive: Kyle Kuzma

The trade cannot be executed before January 15, 2024, but the Mavericks should be calling the Wizards regularly until then to see if they can upgrade during their current win-now window.

The Wizards Commit To Their Rebuild

The Wizards are already one of the worst teams in the NBA, but they should be spending their available minutes to bring along young talent that could one day be a part of their core. Moving off Kuzma to trust players like Deni Avdija and Bilal Coulibaly more could be wise. Adding another young player to the mix, like Josh Green could be a big boost to their long-term prospects, especially with Green on an affordable long-term contract.

Green has had a very slow start to the season, averaging 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. But he’s proven he has the ability to be a 40% shooter from three in the past and has shown flashes of strong finishing ability and playmaking. He’s turning his season around with a 15-point outing against the Lakers, but it’s clear the 21-year-old is still a raw prospect and needs to develop in a situation where he can make mistakes without losing his minutes.

Tim Hardaway Jr. is unlikely to be a long-term player in Washington, possibly staying on for half a season or being moved instantly for more assets. He’s one of the best shooters in the NBA through the start of the season averaging 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 38.5% from three on 8.9 attempts per game. A contender would love to have a player like this, and the Wizards could easily trade him on his affordable $18 million contract that expires at the end of next season.

The Mavericks Add The Prototypical Forward Luka Doncic Needs

One of the challenges the Mavericks have faced while team-building around Luka Doncic is finding players that complement him perfectly. This explains the team’s over-reliance on players like Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell, given their years of experience alongside Doncic. Kyrie has fit really well as Doncic’s backcourt partner, but the team needs a more difference-making addition on their wing. Kyle Kuzma is precisely that.

Kuzma is averaging 23.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, and has proven himself as a 20-point scorer in the time he’s spent in Washington. But he also knows what he needs to do as a connective piece on a contending team given his experience on the 2020 Lakers. Kuzma is a far more developed player now and would be a clear third option behind the backcourt, bringing his solid defense, high-effort rebounding, and scoring ability to Dallas.

Kuzma is the perfect forward for Dallas, who can theoretically fit with any of their frontcourt options. He can add size on the wing, which will not only address the team’s poor defense but also their poor rebounding. Playing in a winning situation once again will motivate Kuzma, who would be an invaluable addition to a Mavs team looking to elevate itself to title contenders after finding their starting center in the 2023 NBA Draft with Dereck Lively II.

Can The Mavericks Enter Contention With A Move Like This?

This trade doesn’t make the Mavericks the perfect roster, but it does take them a step toward their goal of competing for a title and keeping Luka happy before he asks out of the franchise. Losing Josh Green does mean they lose one of the most active defenders in the league, even though his 6’5″ frame presents size problems for the Mavericks as it leaves the team really small while playing with Doncic, Irving, and Grant Williams. Green has a lot of potential, but Kuzma is a far better win-now prospect that fits better onto the roster and the role they need him to fill.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s magnetic offensive ability will be missed dearly. One could argue the Mavericks didn’t lose their 2018 trade with the Knicks for Kristaps Porzingis primarily because of the acquisition of Hardaway, who has become a core piece for the Mavericks over the last five seasons. The Mavericks did make their 2022 Western Conference Finals run while Hardaway was out injured. There’s a winning concept the team has executed before without Hardaway Jr., but he’s clearly been their third-best player this season, so it’d be a significant loss.

The Mavs can’t move forward without taking risks, and a player like Kuzma would be ideal for their system. If they make this move, they give themselves a genuine chance to separate themselves from the middle of the West to solidify their status as a top-six team and a possible contender.

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