Off-season trade: Kuzma to Memphis

[Frichuela]

Simple trade in the off-season:

*MEM gets Kuzma and trades Aldama+Kennard (team option exercised for 2024-25)+2025 MEM 1st (unprotected).
*WAS gets Aldama+Kennard (team option exercised for 2024-25)+2025 MEM 1st (unprotected) for Kuzma.

Rationale: MEM gets a combo SF/PF to pair with the core of Morant, Bane, Smart and JJJ and WAS gets a prospect (Aldama) and draft capital.

[nate33]

Asking for that pick to be unprotected is a bit ambitious. Teams don't trade away unprotected picks these days unless they're in a position of weakness. It would definitely have to be top 4 protected. Memphis doesn't have any encumbrances on their picks so it could be top 4 protected for 3 years before rolling over into a two SRP's.

I'd do it from Washington's perspective because there is a real possibility that Memphis isn't all that good next year. Yeah, they'll get Clarke, Adams and Morant back, but Morant isn't exactly an iron man and the West is a bloodbath. It's no sure thing that MEM will finish ahead of any of: OKC, DEN, LAC, MIN, PHX, DAL, NOP and SAC. And even teams like HOU, LAL and GSW can't be counted out.

[Hoppy1]

Adams went to the Rockets. A PF is needed for the Grizzlies.

[esvl]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

[Frichuela]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

[nate33]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Don't bother Frichuela. RealGM hates Kyle Kuzma. Real analyists like Bobby Marks and Zach Lowe think Kuzma has some pretty good value around the league, but your average RealGM poster think he is a negative value chucker.

Kuzma makes pretty good sense to add some offensive punch to a team that ranked just 14th offensively last year and has since lost Tyus Jones. But nobody is going to agree with me so it's not really worth bothering.

[psman2]

Kuz simply just makes too much money for the role he would play here which would be 4/5th option on offense. He likely would be a 6th man for us since we really don't need more scoring in our starting lineup.

We need to use the money we have under the 1st apron to target a 4/5 or 5/4 that compliments our Ja/Bane/JJJ and Smart. Rebounding, team play, tough D is what we really need. We need a 11/8+ blue collar type of guy. 1st option is to use Kennard in a draft day trade with our lottery pick before his contract needs to be GTD. If that trade doesn't happen then I think we decline Kennard to open up the possibility of the full MLE, SNT possibilities by staying under the apron, and the use of our TPEs. I don't see any scenario where we GTDing Kennard contract to swing him for Kuz and be at the apron and not address our real needs.

Now once the dust settles and we have address our true needs then I could see a slight possibility that we do something like Clarke/Zaire/Rose and protected 1st for Kuz if there is room under the apron. But Clarke is really a pivot point, if he looks playable again I rather just keep him at his salary than Kuz, and if he looks toast then Washington likely doesn't want to eat him and we likely not interested in including extra incentives to get off of him.

With Vince Williams and GG Jackson looking like rotation players for us now, the need for a Kuz type of player is very marginal for us and likely is no interest if Clarke looks playable again. I wouldn't rule out Kuzma to Memphis entirely but he would be very far down the list I believe.

[jayjaysee]

I think Washington will get similar value (a lightly protected first and some extra fluff) but don’t think Memphis is the team to pay it. They’re already going to be really expensive next season, Kuz is on a nice contract, but he’s not really what you need given their stars and what they’d use him for isn’t worth 20 million.

Atlanta is the most likely team in my opinion, where he and Jalen work pretty well together and they have another year under the tax.

But I think there’s a decent list of teams that would trade their 2024 first for him and another group that would trade their 2025 for him.. I’m not the biggest fan but think on that contract he has value..

[penbeast0]

I agree that he'd be a much better 6th man instant offense type than a 1st/2nd option scorer as a starter. He might be solid as a 3rd option if it would mean he'd quit taking bad shots and focus on efficiency and defense but I wouldn't count on it. However, he gives some value with his flexibility, ability to create for himself or others from either forward slot, and positive personality. Just a matter of finding a spot where he fits well.

[esvl]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Yeah, it makes sense on paper I dunnot disagree, but there are numerous nuances known to Grizz fans only that make this theory less attractive.

[QMemphis]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Kuzma would have to go back to his LA days for the deal to make sense. He would need to be a great utility defense guy and efficient floor spacer for him as a starter to work with our guys. He is on a good deal. But if we talking to Washington I’m asking about Deni first.

[meekrab]

Don't the Grizzlies already have 3 or 4 high usage players who are a lot better at scoring than Kuzma? Where would they even play him? Even Marcus Smart who sucks at offense is better at offense than Kuzma.

[doogie_hauser]

Kuzma doesn't strike me as a good fit for The Grizz (who have plenty of depth and younger players who play in a similar position)

Bucks, Sixers or even back to the Lakers seem like the best fits for Kuzma imo

[Apz]

Kuzma thinks he is a star now. He wont leave that for anything. He just proved it this window

[esvl]

I barely see any role Kuzma might play in the Memphis current roster given that JJJ plays PF or a small ball center. Kuzma is not a game-changer for Memphis, he would not fill in any empty spot in terms of skills. On the top, he just is not a Grizz type player and personality. Those points alone should stop any discussion of this idea way before getting into the price consideration. And I don’t want even start on that. To be honest, I wouldn’t be a fan of the idea of signing him as FA without any cost/price attached. Simply because there is no proper role or sufficient time for him.

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Kuzma would have to go back to his LA days for the deal to make sense. He would need to be a great utility defense guy and efficient floor spacer for him as a starter to work with our guys. He is on a good deal. But if we talking to Washington I’m asking about Deni first.

GG and Aldama are better than Deni already as 3pt shooters and very soon, if not already, overall.

[QMemphis]

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Kuzma would have to go back to his LA days for the deal to make sense. He would need to be a great utility defense guy and efficient floor spacer for him as a starter to work with our guys. He is on a good deal. But if we talking to Washington I’m asking about Deni first.

GG and Aldama are better than Deni already as 3pt shooters and very soon, if not already, overall.

Deni is a better defender can guard all 5 positions and is a better playmaker. His shooting has come along and I trust his IQ over both our guys. GG if he keeps this up and adds defense he can be a true core piece.

[zimpy27]

I like the idea of Kuzma's rebounding next to JJJ and I think Memphis need more scoring if they lose Kennard.

[esvl]

Kuzma would have to go back to his LA days for the deal to make sense. He would need to be a great utility defense guy and efficient floor spacer for him as a starter to work with our guys. He is on a good deal. But if we talking to Washington I’m asking about Deni first.

GG and Aldama are better than Deni already as 3pt shooters and very soon, if not already, overall.

Deni is a better defender can guard all 5 positions and is a better playmaker. His shooting has come along and I trust his IQ over both our guys. GG if he keeps this up and adds defense he can be a true core piece.

I agree on Deni’s positive skills. I rather concern with his shooting skills. His shooting mechanic looks everything but natural and smooth which differs him GG, Vince, and Aldama. Lack of shooting and stretching is a red-flag to me. We have Smart and Vince as outstanding playmakers-defenders. While it is nice to have another one, I don’t believe it should be our priority, what we are looking for. Neither I believe he is better than Aldama or GG.

[brackdan70]

Kuzma has no where near that kind of value imo.

[nate33]

I thought a line up of Morant/Smart/Bane/Kuzma/JJJ could be interesting come playoff time...All switchable defenders with complementary skills.

Kuzma would have to go back to his LA days for the deal to make sense. He would need to be a great utility defense guy and efficient floor spacer for him as a starter to work with our guys. He is on a good deal. But if we talking to Washington I’m asking about Deni first.

GG and Aldama are better than Deni already as 3pt shooters and very soon, if not already, overall.

Kuzma is also a 44% shooter from the corners.

Also, Kuzma is a good shooter when open, but his percentage drops pretty dramatically with a defender closing. He shoots 31% from 3 with his defender 4-6 feet away, but 39% when his defender is 6+ feet away. Unfortunately, as the #1 option on the team, only 13% of his FGA's are open looks from 3. A guy like Aldama, for example, gets 33% of his FGA's as open looks from 3.