With the NBA Trade Deadline just a couple of months away, most teams are presumably more active on the annual hunt in hopes of improving their teams. That is especially true for the Indiana Pacers, who, despite a relatively successful campaign so far, should be in line for some tough decisions regarding their roster.
Of course, the trade market is one of the most accessible routes that the Pacers brass can take for that cause. After all, the squad boasts a bevy of veterans and other pieces that should be enticing for prospective bidders. In fact, expecting Indiana to be active in trade discussions is pretty much a given at this juncture.
The Indiana Pacers could still have a compelling case to pursue Kyle Kuzma
One of the players that the Pacers can take a hard look at as a potential trade target is Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, who has been arguably enjoying his best season yet. Furthermore, the 2020 NBA Champion seems to be on the verge of an exit from Washington, as he is expected to be traded before the deadline as a clear flight risk, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
"There’s a rising belief leaguewide that Kuzma is gettable between now and the Feb. 9 trade deadline as a result because the Wizards might ultimately be forced to concede that they have to trade him before the buzzer to ensure they don’t lose him for nothing."
Kuzma has a player option for next season at around $13 million, which he will surely pass up on, given how his current play could easily elevate his price to the 20s via unrestricted free agency. Without further ado, here is one scenario with the Pacers landing him via trade.
How can the Indiana Pacers incentivize the Wizards to trade Kuzma
Quite frankly, the Wizards have no little to no leverage on the Kyle Kuzma front. First, they are somehow hard-capped this season and are also expected to go beyond the salary cap next year. Second, Kuzma is reportedly seeking not only a hefty raise but also a big-market team or a contender as his preferred destination in free agency.
On the flip side, the Indiana Pacers have a multitude of reasons to move on from TJ McConnell, as he’s occupying valuable minutes and role from younger players who need them more. Meanwhile, Goga Bitadze has once again been an afterthought in Rick Carlisle’s rotation, and all signs point to the team not re-signing him in the summer.
Indiana’s 2023 second-round pick from San Antonio is not only a sweetener, but basically the main return asset for Washington. With the Spurs projected to remain beneath the standings, that pick should be pretty valuable even if it’s outside the first round, especially considering the 2023 draft class’ extraordinary depth.
Sending another second-rounder to the Wizards should be the cherry on top for this deal to push through, and with the Pacers owning three first-round selections anyway, doing so shouldn’t hurt one bit.
Why the Pacers and Wizards should do it
The Indiana Pacers may look like they are sending a haul for Kyle Kuzma, but in reality, they are giving up very dispensable pieces for his services. The elephant in the room is not the price for acquiring him, but his willingness to seriously consider staying in the Circle City beyond this season.
For all the risks associated with Kuzma and his free agency demands, the Pacers should nevertheless be willing to gamble for the aforesaid price. Indiana, after all, has a solid young core, financial flexibility, and sheer potential to lure him in for the long run. What they are sending to the Wizards ultimately won’t doom them considering their need for cap relief from McConnell and their boatload of first rounders next year.
Meanwhile, Washington has to do what it takes to ensure that they extract some assets for a definite flight risk like Kuzma. Reports have been persistent in linking the forward to contenders such as the Phoenix Suns, but if the latter only comes up with a deal centered on, well, Jae Crowder, the Pacers can certainly do much better than the Suns dangling a demanding veteran.
Netting two second-rounders in a deep 2023 draft class is valuable, especially since it gives the Wizards more than enough ammo to be more aggressive in trying to better their draft positioning later on. Also, while McConnell has been below average this season for the Pacers, he could easily slot in as a key rotation player for Washington given their utter lack of viable playmakers.