The Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards gave NBA fans some excitement ahead of the highly anticipated free agency period, which begins on Thursday. The Nuggets and Wizards are finalizing a 4-player trade that will send Will Barton and Monte Morris to Washington with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith heading back to Denver. At first glance, it seems like an uninspiring deal.
However, there are certainly layers to this trade, as both the Nuggets and Wizards are maneuvering with an eye towards the upcoming NBA free agency period. Not only that, but each team fills a couple of key needs with the deal.
So how did they do? Let's whip out the grade book and assess the Nuggets-Wizards trade.
Grading Nuggets-Wizards 4-Player Trade
Nuggets Grade: B+
The Nuggets, who a week ago had nearly 56 million in cap space to clear up, save money with this move. As ESPN's Bobby Marks outlines here, the expiring contracts of KCP and Will Barton, each about $14 million, match in the deal. Meanwhile, Denver trades Monte Morris, who was due over $9 million next season for the veteran Ish Smith, whose $4.7 million salary is guaranteed. The move allows the Nuggets to get under the luxury tax.
Financially, this makes perfect sense for the Nuggets. From a basketball standpoint, it's also reasonably sensible. Denver needed a 3-and-D wing- and KCP, who has averaged 1.7 three-pointers made and 1.1 steals per game in his career- fits that mold.
However, he came at the cost of Morris, who was an invaluable part of the Nuggets' rotation, especially with the injury-prone Jamal Murray still working his way back into action. There's no doubt that Denver is downgrading going from Morris to the journeyman Ish Smith.
Still, last year's promising rookie Bones Hyland appears ready to take the next step. If he does, this deal will look even better next season.
Wizards Grade: B
The Wizards are taking on more salary in this deal, though it might be worth it. While a solid defender and three-point shooter, Washington needed some more scoring on the wing, which Barton, who averaged 14.7 points per game in a solid campaign for Denver, brings to the table.
His offensive-minded game figures to be a good fit alongside Bradley Beal, provided he elects to return. The big win here for the Wizards is their acquisition of Morris, who should immediately slot in as the team's starting point guard.
The 27-year-old thrived in the role for the Nuggets in 2021, averaging career-highs in points, three-pointers made and assists per game. He's steadily improved as a playmaker and is a better shooter than Smith, which makes him worth the $9.1 million the Wizards will be paying him over the next two seasons.
Washington wasn't in a terrible cap situation, but they certainly didn't help it with this deal. Still, a team in need of a jolt of offense on the wing and in the backcourt certainly got it with this trade.
It's a deal that seems to work fairly well for both the Nuggets and the Wizards.