Wizards (2022-2023)

[imref]

they're going to try and keep Kuzma, aren't they?

Deep Hoops
@deep_hoops
Lakers are finalizing a trade to send Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Wizards for Rui Hachimura (Shams)

[Natsinpwc]

they're going to try and keep Kuzma, aren't they?

Yea. Kuzma can’t go back to the Lakers because that would be GM Lebron admitting he made a mistake with the Westbrook trade.

[HalfSmokes]

they're going to try and keep Kuzma, aren't they?

This is going to rival Ernie's dumb moves. He'll either walk for nothing or they'll have to use his Bird rights to outbid everyone else. If he walk, they lose his salary slot, if he stays they're locked into the most mediocre core in basketball.

[Natsinpwc]

I guess I did not realize Kendrick Nunn was that good in Miami. And then a knee injury. Coach Lebron has chosen to not use him much in LA. Of course collecting multiple second round picks will be good since Tommy is so good at the draft.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nunnke01.html

[Natsinpwc]

In reading more about this Nunn is an interesting spiting contract. One pick is Chicago second rounder in 2023. The others are not until 2028 and one is a pick swap. So not much. Just another failed first round pick.

[imref]

This is going to rival Ernie's dumb moves. He'll either walk for nothing or they'll have to use his Bird rights to outbid everyone else. If he walk, they lose his salary slot, if he stays they're locked into the most mediocre core in basketball.

this is a horrible trade for the Wizards. Just as Rui is becoming a solid option off the bench we trade him for pretty much nothing.

[Natsinpwc]

this is a horrible trade for the Wizards. Just as Rui is becoming a solid option off the bench we trade him for pretty much nothing.

He’s gone after the season unless you want to pay him $15 million a year or more which is crazy. Rui plays no defense and who knows when he will want to take another half year off to get his head together. Probably collecting second round picks to use in other trades.

Looks like KP will be out for awhile. Wonder if this means they are kicking the van on this season? Nah. That would be too smart.

Also rumors out there that he demanded a trade.

[HalfSmokes]

He’s gone after the season unless you want to pay him $15 million a year or more which is crazy. Rui plays no defense and who knows when he will want to take another half year off to get his head together. Probably collecting second round picks to use in other trades.

Looks like KP will be out for awhile. Wonder if this means they are kicking the van on this season? Nah. That would be too smart.

He’s a restricted free agent. Worst case is you match an over pay and you have salary that you can trade to make a deal work. In the NBA, just having guys making $15 million gives you options in trade

[imref]

i read the ESPN analysis and this trade might not be as bad as I thought. They weren't going to pay Rui, and ESPN notes that Rui is among the worst defenders in the league. At this point he's a younger Davis Bertans who is a good three point shooter but not much else. It does speak to the failure of the Wizards to maximize the #9 pick that used on Rui. It's likely that the Wiz aren't done dealing and will use some of the picks in another trade.

ESPN also noted Rui would get around $15 million next year under the Rookie Contract Extension but the Lakers could try to sign him to a longer-term, cheaper deal.

[Natsinpwc]

i read the ESPN analysis and this trade might not be as bad as I thought. They weren't going to pay Rui, and ESPN notes that Rui is among the worst defenders in the league. At this point he's a younger David Bertans who is a good three point shooter but not much else. It does speak to the failure of the Wizards to maximize the #9 pick that used on Rui.

Yup. Four straight picks in that range and got incomplete players in each case. Apparently Davis is struggling in the G League so it’s gettin worse.

[Natsinpwc]

He’s a restricted free agent. Worst case is you match an over pay and you have salary that you can trade to make a deal work. In the NBA, just having guys making $15 million gives you options in trade

Yea but they want to sign Kuzma and KP and therefore have no money for that as Ted does not want to pay the luxury tax. And a year later same decisions on Deni. You really can’t pay a guy $15 million or more to be a bench player. He reminds me of Kwamie Brown in a way because he doesn’t seem to love the game. Just playing it because he is a big dude with some shooting talent. But generally only mid range. Under 34 percent from three this year.

If it was up to me I would extend Rui and hope he can improve his game and let Kuzma walk. And KP. But that’s not how they operate   They want to sell a big three of Beal, Kuzma and KP that could win 40 games in a good year.

[HalfSmokes]

Yea but they want to sign Kuzma and KP and therefore have no money for that as Ted does not want to pay the luxury tax. And a year later same decisions on Deni. You really can’t pay a guy $15 million or more to be a bench player. He reminds me of Kwamie Brown in a way because he doesn’t seem to love the game. Just playing it because he is a big dude with some shooting talent. But generally only mid range. Under 34 percent from three this year.

If it was up to me I would extend Rui and hope he can improve his game and let Kuzma walk. And KP. But that’s not how they operate   They want to sell a big three of Beal, Kuzma and KP that could win 40 games in a good year.

It would be beyond stupid to extend Kuzma, pay Kuzma, and have Beal, but not pay the Luxury tax. My assumption was based on being willing to pay the tax and needing the salary to make another trade work, I for get about Ted

[imref]

Apparently Rui was the problem with this team?

[Natsinpwc]

Apparently Rui was the problem with this team?

Kuzma knows Ted is opening the vault. 

[imref]

Nunn looked good and the Wiz win again.

[Natsinpwc]

Playoffs baby. 10th place.

[imref]

Fifth in a row. Tied for ninth.

[HalfSmokes]

Fifth in a row. Tied for ninth.

7th place here we come

[imref]

i heard yesterday, can't remember where, that the Wiz were close to a deal with Rui for a $12-16 million a year extension but he ended up turning it down. The trade might have been the best option given that.

[imref]

6 in a row!!  This trade has worked out pretty well so far.

[Natsinpwc]

First win in SA since Bill Clinton was President.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

What is the view of Deni?  Is he the sort of complementary guy who deserves minutes?  He's already had his option for next year exercised, but after that Sportrac shows he starts being a bigger cap hit.

[imref]

What is the view of Deni?  Is he the sort of complementary guy who deserves minutes?  He's already had his option for next year exercised, but after that Sportrac shows he starts being a bigger cap hit.

He's been good off the bench and much improved this year, but still not worthy of where he was drafted IMHO. Kispert seems to be stepping up as well.

[Natsinpwc]

What is the view of Deni?

Mensch.

[Natsinpwc]

He's been good off the bench and much improved this year, but still not worthy of where he was drafted IMHO. Kispert seems to be stepping up as well.

Deni is one of their few good defensive players. Kispert can shoot but can’t do much else. If you could combine those two and Rui they would have had one real good player.