Although it may seem like a meme, the Washington Wizards are pretty well positioned for the future to be a great team in the league and these moves would further solidify their promising future.
Trades (with explanation)
1. The DAL-DET-WAS trade:
Trade breakdown:
WAS: Dwhigt Powell, Jaden Hardy, 2025 DAL 1st (can be transferred as the new league year starts), 2027 BKN 2nd and 2025 TOR 2nd.
DET: Tim Hardaway Jr.
DAL: Kyle Kuzma.
Why would each team accept this trade?
WAS: They get 2 srps, 1 frp (slightly protected) and a young player in Jaden Hardy that they could squeeze his potential and see what he is capable of doing. (Probably for this trade to happen the WAS would demand O-Max instead of Powell but then I think the DAL would not accept).
DAL: Dallas is probably not that interested in acquiring Kuzma after acquiring PJ since neither is a flat-out 3, but I think for such an offer they should accept. Plus his contract is pretty good considering it's $64.4M declines in salary each year.
DET: The reality is that they have managed to have a pretty interesting salary capacity for next season getting around $60M but let's be honest, does anyone really want to sign in free agency for the Pistons? I don't think so and unless they try to get a player like Wiggins or a Grant I doubt they will spend that $60M so acquiring THJ who is a very good three pointer and whose salary is off the books in 1 year in exchange for a 2nd round draft pick should be a no brainer.
2. The LAC-WAS trade:
Trade breakdown:
WAS: Amir Coffey, PJ Tucker and 2024 IND 2nd.
LAC: Tyus Jones via sign and trade.
Why would each team accept this trade?
LAC: Despite having Russ who is still not sure if he will stay with the franchise since he has a PO on his contract this year I think getting Tyus Jones would help them a lot in the rotation which has been one of their biggest problems this season. Although as a Clippers fan it would hurt me to say goodbye to Coffey who I really think has good potential here he will never be able to develop it.
WAS: Tyus is going to leave anyway as a free agent for sure even though they are talking about maybe extending him I don't think he has proven to be what they really had in mind when the Virginia franchise got his services so I think getting Coffey who I have already said I think has good potential to PJ who will probably give problems but still leave in a year and a second rounder should be more than a fair deal.
3. The OKC-WAS trade:
Trade breakdown:
WAS: Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng, 2024 HOU 1st, 2025 BOS 2nd, 2026 GSW 2nd and 2026 DAL 2nd.
OKC: Deni Advija.
Why would each team accept this trade?
OKC: They have one of the best young cores if not the best in the league, they are 1st in the West and I don't think they need to move many assets to get a star and more taking into account the upcoming extensions they will have to make to Jalen Williams and Chet Holgrem so acquiring Advija who is being a very solid player that fits perfectly with their young core and has a very good contract would be the perfect move, the doubt of this move would be if the Wizards would accept it.
WAS: It is clear that Advija is a good player, young and with a good contract, so why trade him? Well because they would be getting a very good offer from the Thunder this year's pick #12 Josh Giddey who is also a very good promise Dieng who could show his potential and 3srps I think it is fair, that if it would not be crazy for the Wizards, asking Oklahoma for an extra frp to close the deal which as I see it the Thunder should accept without thinking about it.
2024 Draft:
With the #2 selection draft PF/C Alexandre Sarr. Projected Salary: $12.7M
With the #12 selection draft PG/SG Devin Carter. Projected Salary: $5.7M
With the #26 selection draft SG/PG Kyshawn George. Projected Salary: $3.3M
With the #47 selection draft SG/SF Melvin Ajinça. Prejected Salary: Two-Way.
With the #50 selection draft PF/C PJ Hall. Prejected Salary: Two-Way.
Free Agency
Sign Brett Brown as head coach and leaving Brian Keefe as assistant coach
Cut PJ Tucker
Cut Eugene Omoruyi
Cut Jared Butler
Cut Dwight Powell
Financials (after trades)
Team Salary: $133.9M
Luxury Tax: $37.4M Under
1st Apron: $44.7M Under
2nd Apron: $55.5M Under
Starting Lineup:
Devin Carter, Josh Giddey, Bilal Coulibaly, Alexandre Sarr and Richaun Holmes.
Backup Five:
Jordan Poole, Jaden Hardy, Cory Kispert, Marvin Bagley and Tristan Vucevic.
Rest of the Team:
Kyshawn George, Johnny Davis, Patrick Baldwin Jr, Amir Coffey and Ousmane Dieng.