Kuzma+ to Detroit for #5

[penbeast0]

Detroit wants to make a move up next year after being a bottom dweller for so long. They have Cade and Duren, would they be interested in a scoring threat at forward in Kyle Kuzma? He's a guy who can create for himself and others, fun and classy human being, and versatile enough to play either forward. On the downside, he's been a volume scorer but never a very efficient one, and his defensive focus has been lower since he got the scoring primacy in Washington though he sometimes shows skills on that end.

Washington is still in talent acquisition stage and presumably tanking. The positions of depth in the early part of this draft (C, PG, defensive 2 guard) are all positions of need (unless you are a big Jordan Poole fan which I am not). They should be looking to move Kuzma for the best draft capital they can.

Kuzma and late 1st (#26) for Detroit's pick #5.

[MotownMadness]

Too rich for Kuzma

[BlazersBroncos]

WAY too rich for Kuzma.

I have him closer to a 12-14 pick. Even in this draft 5 is far too high.

[Texas Chuck]

I just can't believe Detroit would pay #5 for Kuzma. Maybe if they whiff in FA they come back and offer a future protected 1st and take on the entire contract, but this feels like a big overpay when they might get a similar level player just for the money while keeping #5.

[letsgobulls23]

#5 pick >>> Kuzma, especially to a rebuilding team.

[Scoot McGroot]

I just can't believe Detroit would pay #5 for Kuzma. Maybe if they whiff in FA they come back and offer a future protected 1st and take on the entire contract, but this feels like a big overpay when they might get a similar level player just for the money while keeping #5.

Yeah. Even in a "weak draft", or even if the incumbent team has no real reason to have to trade the guy, etc, there's just no reasonable way that a GM can get in front of the camera on draft night and talk about having traded their lotto pick, which in this case, they got for being the worst team in the league, for Kyle Kuzma. He's fine and all, but he's not "lotto pick" fine. Sure, the drat doesn't look great, yada yada....but at least a draft pick is a flyer on a guy that could possibly be way better than Kuzma, even if those odds aren't great. Just feels like a fireable offense for a GM.

[psman2]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

[Texas Chuck]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

[Snakebites]

I’m potentially open to moving the pick, but Kuzma doesn’t do it for me.

[Snakebites]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

I’m not all that high on any floor raisers in this draft though. It’s mostly complementary type guys available.

[psman2]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

I agree for the most part...but Deni is a good connector piece and could be worth pick #5ish in this draft to the right team. I don't think Memphis is in dire need of him anymore but would have offered 7 still if we stayed there and if we found another way to address our frontcourt needs. At least he is locked up for 4 years so there is an outside chance Det makes some noise with him under contract. But Detroit really should be in full tank still this coming year and hope to land a franchise guy still, have my doubts Cade is anything more than low end all star at his peak.

I think SA should tank one more year too unless some too good to pass up opportunities fall into their lap. Let these lottery picks play big minutes and even with Wemby's improvement they are likely a bottom 5 team again and get a chance at the top of what appears to be a strong lottery next year.

For the record I got Kuz worth a pick in the 18-25 range, inefficient scoring doesn't fetch much in trade these days. What is Kuzma worth as a 4/5th option on a decent team with his usage slashed? I think he is a 6th man on most good teams. But Rozier was moved for more value than I thought so if something like this happens I will admit I missed on this one too.

[TGW]

The Wizards wouldn't trade Deni for any of the players in this pitiful draft. The #5 this year is like #12 in a good draft, and I'm being nice. I think Detroit would be nuts not to do Kuzma and #26 for #5. They still get a pick and someone who can actually score points for them since they are so decrepit offensively. At #5 they'd be picking a project who probably wouldn't see the court this upcoming season, which would be a death sentence for their GM.

[gswhoops]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

#4 + Atlanta's picks returned + some other stuff for Trae and then #8 for Deni would be a really interesting team really fast.

[Texas Chuck]

Wild. This is what Deni could pull maybe.

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

#4 + Atlanta's picks returned + some other stuff for Trae and then #8 for Deni would be a really interesting team really fast.

Yeah go get a top level PG and Deni and they are cooking with gas---assuming Wemby takes another major step forward. And just zero reason to spend another season tanking if you can pull off something like this.

I'm looking to be very aggressive this summer as San Antonio.

[gswhoops]

Detroit shouldn't consider that either. The stuff Deni helps with has value to a good team. He's not going to do anything to lift a terrible one and the bargain contract will be done by the time they are ready especially if they punt on upside chances like this.

Now if the Spurs are going to get super aggressive, then them trading one of their lotto picks for Deni is logical. Though I have his value at 8, not 4.

#4 + Atlanta's picks returned + some other stuff for Trae and then #8 for Deni would be a really interesting team really fast.

Yeah go get a top level PG and Deni and they are cooking with gas---assuming Wemby takes another major step forward. And just zero reason to spend another season tanking if you can pull off something like this.

I'm looking to be very aggressive this summer as San Antonio.

+1

If you can go out and build a team that is ready to compete for the playoffs NOW that still has room to grow upward....make it happen. I don't know how patient Wemby is but San Antonio definitely doesn't want to find out.

[babyjax13]

if the + were like the 8th pick it might make some sense

[Godaddycurse]

Detroit can just sign derozan or Harris in FA and keep their pick

[BDM22]

No interest in Kuz, definitely not for a top-5 pick. Not close for me. He needs to go to a team where he's like the 5th best player. He's also a proven bad shooter which is an instant no for this team. Even for a pure salary dump he'd be a bad fit. There are other teams that I'm sure could give some value. Not a #5 in this draft though, imo. And not a lotto pick in a better draft. Maybe one in the late teens.

Swap Kuz for Deni and I have to really consider it. Still think there are going to be players better than Deni available at 5, but the question is how easily they'll be able to pinpoint.

[Snakebites]

I think in general it would be malpractice for us to give up the number 5 pick (or any comparable asset) for anyone who isn't at the very least a reliable outside shooter.

Kuzma certainly isn't that. Even in this draft I don't think he carries the value of the fifth pick in the draft.

[gswhoops]

I know this is perceived to be a weaker draft, but people are really stretching that excuse on this board.

No one is giving a top-5 pick for Kuzma in any draft (and eating his entire salary to boot, which is a non-trivial consideration here). Like others have said if the Pistons really want an empty calorie tweener forward with a questionable outside shot, they can just sign Tobias Harris.