Trade Report: Mavs Offered Two First-Round Picks for Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma

The Dallas Mavericks reportedly tried their best to acquire Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma before the trade deadline, but the way things worked out might end up being for the best.

Before the trade deadline, it was no secret the Dallas Mavericks needed frontcourt upgrades after being at a size disadvantage for most games this season. Mavs GM Nico Harrison ended up addressing both of those needs, as he turned Grant Williams, Seth Curry, Richaun Holmes and two first-round picks into P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and two second-round picks.

Before those moves were made, though, the Mavs had major interest in adding Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, and according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective, Dallas was willing to trade two first-round picks to get him.

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As good as Kuzma is as a versatile forward, one has to wonder if the Mavs ended up getting more bang for their buck by receiving both Washington and Gafford for essentially the same offer they made for Kuzma. From an analytical standpoint, the Mavs have been one of the best teams in the league since the trade deadline, having the top-rated defensive rating (96.9) and third-best net rating (20.0).

“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me,” Kuzma told The Athletic. “[Michael] Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”

Although Washington hasn’t shot the ball well through his first three games as a Maverick, he’s still having an impact with his passing, cutting and defense. He was a combined +51 in wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wizards and San Antonio Spurs.

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Gafford has been a seamless fit from his first game with his ability to gobble up rebounds, block shots and set strong screens for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Legitimate center depth is something the Mavs haven’t had for years, but they have it now with Gafford and Dereck Lively II. 

There’s always the chance that the Mavs could revisit trade talks for Kuzma in the offseason, but for now, it looks like the path they chose at the trade deadline was the right one. We’ll see how far the new-look Mavs can climb following All-Star Weekend.

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