Trade & FA 2024-25:

[DanSchwartzgan]

How about

Wizards get Green and THJ and "draft capital"
Mavs get Avdija

There are several reasons why Washington might be a good trade partner.  Some, I've mentioned in previous posts and as I've thought about this further, I've come up with one more.

The new piece of this for me is looking at Washington's future cap.  It looks like their team is going to be built around #2 (Sarr, Risacher or Clingan) plus Coulibaly and whatever they can add in free agency in 2025.  That last part is where THJ comes in.  They can walk away from their entire team next summer except Kuzma, Poole and Avdija, Coulibaly, their picks and presumably Jones if they retain him.  So, THJ might be valued as someone who can fill minutes in 24/25 while preserving space next year.  They don't have enough space in 24/25 to do anything, but they could be a big player in the summer of 2025.

Green fits a trade into their NT MLE in July (and I think he may fit their TPE in June if that were somehow needed).  He adds someone who actually tries on D instead of Poole and Kuzma who are basically just getting their cardio in for half the game.  None of the top draft prospects at #2 is a guard and all they really have right now is Jones (FA) and Poole (best as a sixth man).  

Our 2025 pick makes sense as they don't have their own pick next summer.

Trading Avdija may alleviate some of the positional crowding depending on who they draft.  As mentioned, they have two guards in Jones/Poole and two centers who both expire next summer in Bagley/Holmes.  Their 3/4 or 4/3 types include Coulibaly (3), Kispert (3), Avdija (3/4), Kuzma (4/3) and potentially Sarr (4) or Risacher (3).  Longer term, I see them as:

Guards:  Jones/Green/Poole
Wings:  Coulibaly, Kuzma, Kispert (maybe Sarr or Risacher)
Bigs:  (maybe Sarr or Clingan), maybe Bagley

Then you fill in what you need in 2025 free agency

I love Avdija in Dallas and this construct (or what I proposed that sent Green/draft equity to Washington and THJ elsewhere) creates enough room for DJJ.  I think the key is what Washington does in the draft.  If they get Clingan, there is less of a logjam as Coulibaly, Avdija and Kuzma can play the 2, 3, 4.  But, if they take Sarr or Risacher, I think this has a better chance.