NBA Trades: 1 potential last-minute deal to shake up all 30 NBA teams
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: Washington Wizards
Although they would probably like to get rid of Jordan Poole's ugly contract, the Washington Wizards may have much better luck trading Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas. Both players should have plenty of teams interested and one of those teams could be the Los Angeles Lakers, who could use more scoring as well as another big man to pair with Anthony Davis.
Ironically, Kuzma was acquired by the Wizards in the Russell Westbrook trade that sent him to the Lakers. Now, it seems more likely than not that he may end up back in LA and cost the Lakers at least a first-round pick, as well as Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, and Christian Wood.
Valanciunas was signed by the Wizards using cap space and that seems like a smart idea since he will allow number two overall pick Alexandre Saar to start his career at power forward. However, Valanciunas seems like a safe bet to be moved at some point before the trade deadline and he and Kuzma seem like perfect fits in Los Angeles.
Washington could also turn around and flip Hachimura and Russell to another team or teams for picks. Not only could the Wizards do that, but they can get a potential lottery pick in 5 years, and potentially improve their own lottery pick in this year's stacked draft. With the 2025 draft headlined by Cooper Flagg, getting lucky and winning the draft lottery could help turn around a struggling franchise.