Evaluate the trade: The Wizards are considering sending Kispert to the Lakers.
The 2023–24 NBA season got off to a terrible start for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have a 2-8 record and one of the worst point differentials in the league, therefore it is reasonable to say that they shouldn’t be concerned about their performance this season. Their attention must be directed towards the future and how to make the most of what they already have in order to add additional resources and eventually build a winning squad. In light of this, they must consider dealing away their valuable players to other teams in return for inexperienced players and draught selections.
Tyus Jones and Corey Kispert are two Wizards who could draw a lot of attention in the NBA. With a contract that is about to expire, Jones, 27, is unnecessary for the youthful Wizards who are rebuilding. Kispert appears to be lagging behind Bilal Coulibaly and Deni Avdija in the rotation, so it could be wise for the Wizards to let him go before his trade worth begins to decline.
The Wizards must put youth and upside first in any prospective trade that transfers Jones and Kispert to new places. It might make sense for all parties involved to build a three-team league that includes the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Wizards receive two promising young players in Max Christie and Maxwell Lewis in this package. Christie and Lewis, two recent second-round selections by the Los Angeles Lakers, possess skill sets appropriate for the contemporary NBA.
Christie, a shooting guard who is 20 years old, has a beautiful jump shot. The Michigan State product is a nice 2-guard because of his build and length. Lewis, who had the perfect body for a 3-and-D wing, was selected 40th overall in the 2023 NBA Draught. Although neither player has been a reliable member of the Lakers rotation thus far, they can advance to become reliable rotation players in the league with the Wizards’ plenty of playing time and opportunities.
The New Orleans Pelicans also send Jonas Valanciunas and a second-round pick to the Wizards. The Wizards can consider whether to extend the contract of the 31-year-old centre, as his current one is ready to expire. However, in the short term, Valanciunas can offer the Wizards frontcourt his size, experience, veteran presence, and interior scoring.
Tyus Jones, who arrives in New Orleans, is exactly what the Pelicans need in a floor general who sets the table—especially with CJ McCollum out of the picture.
In the same way, the Los Angeles Lakers satisfy a clear demand. The Lakers are ranked 29th in accuracy and 28th in frequency of three-point shooting in the NBA. One of the league’s top shooters, Corey Kispert gives Lakers stars Lebron James and Anthony Davis spacing and off-ball gravity.
It might not seem like much of a comeback for the Wizards. Corey Kispert and Tyus Jones’ trade worth, however, may suffer if Washington’s season continues to be a letdown. It makes sense to think about ending the season early and bringing in more exciting young players for the Wizards.
