3 Wizards commerce candidates getting into 2024-25 coaching camp

The Washington Wizards are in rebuild mode heading into the 2024-25 season, in search of their younger core to develop. The Wizards chosen Alex Sarr with the second general decide within the draft this summer season.

Washington added two extra rookies within the first spherical, deciding on Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George. These younger gamers be a part of Bilal Couilibaly as their long-term core. Nonetheless, the Wizards even have some stable veterans on their roster.

Kyle Kuzma and Corey Kispert have confirmed to be stable contributors for Washington. This offseason, Washington added Jonas Valanciunas and Malcolm Brogdon as veteran items of their rotation.

Valanciunas inked a three-year $30 million cope with the Wizards this offseason. The 32-year-old huge man averaged 12.2 factors, 8.8 rebounds, and a couple of.1 assists with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2023. He shot 55.9 p.c from the sphere and 30.8 p.c from three.

Brogdon was traded to the Wizards this offseason and might be a stable veteran guard. The 31-year-old appeared in 39 video games for the Portland Path Blazers, averaging 15.7 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per recreation. He shot 44 p.c from the ground and 41.2 p.c from deep.

Washington’s veteran acquisitions may assist them early within the season however be commerce belongings on the deadline. With that mentioned, listed here are three Wizards commerce candidates getting into the 2024-25 coaching camp.

Jonas Valanciunas

Valanciunas is a stable veteran huge man who might be a mentor for his or her rookie Sarr early on. Nonetheless, along with his affordable contract, many contenders may very well be eager about buying him this season.

Commerce rumors surrounded Valanciunas as quickly because the Wizards acquired him. Washington is a younger and rebuilding workforce that ought to benefit from their veteran function gamers like Valanciunas for draft capital.

Malcolm Brogdon

Brogdon is one other veteran who was simply acquired and may very well be moved. The 31-year-old has damage issues, however he is productive as an environment friendly scorer, playmaker, and defender. Brogdon’s contract will make it extra difficult to get a deal performed.

Brogdon will earn $22.5 million this season however is within the closing 12 months of his deal. The 2022-23 Sixth Man of the 12 months award winner is a productive function participant and may very well be the lacking piece for a contender.

Brogdon is worked up to play for Washington, stating “I’ve at all times had prolonged household in DC that I’ve had rising up. … “This is sort of a full-circle second for me to have the ability to play for the Wizards. It is a workforce I’ve at all times wished to place the jersey on for.” Whereas Brogdon is worked up to play for Washinton, it makes essentially the most sense for them to maneuver him for draft capital or younger expertise.

Kyle Kuzma

Ahead Kyle Kuzma is getting into his fourth season with the Washington Wizards. Kuzma appeared in 70 video games for Washington within the 2023-24 season, averaging 22.2 factors, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per recreation. The 29-year-old shot 46.3 p.c from the sphere and 33.6 p.c from downtown.

Kuzma is a top quality all-around ahead, taking part in stable protection paired along with his scoring punch. He’s getting into the second 12 months of a four-year $90 million contract. Kuzma is a serious candidate for a commerce, as he doesn’t match the timeline of the Wizards’ younger core.

Washington will not be very aggressive within the 2024-25 season, however they’ve tradeable belongings. Valanciunas, Brogdon, and Kuzma may all be impactful gamers on contenders, making the Wizards a serious participant as a vendor.

Including draft capital and extra younger expertise round Sarr, Couilibaly, Carrington, and George may set the Wizards up for a shiny long-term future.