4. Kyle Kuzma
The Wizards are in year one of a total rebuild. They have won just six of their first 32 games and have the fourth-worst point differential in the league. The 28-year-old inked a four-year deal with Washington in the 2023 offseason, but the Wizards should be open to moving him before the deadline. Jake Fischer reported that they could get “some legitimate first-round draft capital” in return.
This could be the Pacers' chance to upgrade at the four without paying the price for a star. Indiana has all of their first-round picks, but cannot afford to trade them. They are not adding in free agency, so the Pacers must do it through the draft and trade. If they have no picks left, that leaves them no avenue to upgrade their roster.
Kuzma is having the best statistical season of his career by averaging 23.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. The 6’9 forward helped the Lakers win the championship in 2020 and was a role player on two playoff teams. His jumper continues to improve, and Kuzma could be a deadly scoring threat playing off Tyrese Haliburton in Indiana.
There will be multiple stars available, but the Indiana Pacers can pay less for Kyle Kuzma and get his four-year decreasing contract.