RealGM

I think this draft is full of interesting prospects, but all of them have ?'s. Wash here goes all in on the draft and loads up on talent, while clearing post-2025 cap space for a big start over next summer (I know, they already started over-but the next draft looks good)

Wash sends Kuzma and the #26 to Bulls, and Deni to Memphis
Wash gets LBall and Luke K (both expiring), plus the #9 and #11 and Zaire Williams. They also get the future Port pick from Chi

Bulls send LBall and #11/Port pick to Wash and JCarter to Memphis
Bulls get Kuzma and the #26

Mem sends #9, Luke K and ZWilliams to Wash
Mem gets Deni and JCarter

Wash loves Deni, but Bilal plays his position. They take BPA at all 3 lotto spots and run the Poole and kids show next year. They would have the worst record, and TONS of cap flexibility moving forward.

Memphis gets Deni to plug into their lineup, as they will want to contend next season. He's tough on D and fits their culture. They need another big, but can figure that out.

Chi should NOT do a deal like this, but they save $ and keep the Playin Express rolling.

I wouldn't trade Deni Avdija for the 1st pick in this draft, much less the 9th pick.

I would trade Deni for the first pick in this draft so fast before Atlanta could come to their senses.

The Lonzo dream will never go away it seems.

I can see a much simpler WASH/CHI deal. The Bulls send Vucevic and #11 to WASH for Kuzma and #26 and they get their 2026 2nd round pick back.

Bulls get their PF, they resign Patrick Williams to be the SF, resign Andre Drummond and find his young backups. They end up with 4 shooters on the floor with Drummond. Whoever they would get at #11 wasn't going to play much anyway, they can draft a similar project for the G League at #26.

WASH gets Vucevic to start as a stop gap center for 2 years, they aren't looking to win much for those 2 years anyway and they cut off the 3rd year of Kuzma's deal

I think there’s a pick in this draft between 1 and 9 that you move on from Deni for.

It is not number 9 though I don’t think though honestly.

jayjaysee wrote:I think there’s a pick in this draft between 1 and 9 that you move on from Deni for.

It is not number 9 though I don’t think though honestly.

Fair enough-I just see Bilal as a SF, and that's Deni's best position. Build around their few young kids and 3 top 11 picks from this draft, and go into 2025 with unlimited cap space and another top 5 pick in a better draft

Memphis says yes lol.

If Chicago's willing to give up their 1st this year to chase .500 (and they very well could be) then there are definitely Kuzma deals that make sense (either for Ball or Vuc). Don't see the Memphis part being considered by Washington.