Kyle Kuzma Perfect Trade Target For Phoenix Suns After Forward's Injury

The Phoenix Suns were off to a strong start to this season after racking up a record of 7-2 until their recent 100-88 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the absence of newly-minted starting forward Cameron Johnson is starting to take its toll on the team.

Johnson was a crucial piece in their three-game winning streak after averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and two steals while shooting an even 50 percent from beyond the arc.

The streak also featured Johnson's highest-scoring game of the season thus far with a 29-point outing to help down the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 1 wherein he made 7-of-11 three-pointers.

During their November 4 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Johnson exited the game midway through the first quarter after apparently tweaking his knee and was later confirmed to have had a torn meniscus.

The Suns later confirmed that Johnson will undergo surgery on his torn meniscus.

According to Dr. Evan Jeffries, Johnson has two options: to either snip the meniscus entirely (can return in 4-6 weeks) or have it repaired (out for at least 4-6 months)–with most fans preferring the latter since Johnson is still just 26 years old.

With Johnson practically out for the season, the Suns need immediate help in the small/power forward position and may inevitably lead to them trading for the Washington Wizards' Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma has been playing a crucial piece to the Wizards' 5-6 start to the season as he can both score in the paint and stretch the floor while also contributing some much-needed help inside the paint and in pulling down rebounds.

Currently, Kuzma is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 boards, 2.2 assists, and 0.7 blocks while shooting the ball at an acceptable 33.3 percent clip.

Using the Fanspo trade machine, below is what the Suns could offer the Wizards for Kuzma.

Phoenix Suns receive:

• F Kyle Kuzma
• F Deni Avdija

Washington Wizards receive:

• F Jae Crowder
• F Torrey Craig
• SG/SF Josh Okogie
• 2024 first-rounder (unprotected)

In this hypothetical trade, Jae Crowder gets his desired move away from the Suns and will go to a Wizards team that still fits his playstyle of taking perimeter shots while Torrey Craig and Josh Okogie are included for financial purposes.

The Wizards, who are not expecting to go for a deep playoff run, will also want a draft pick in exchange for Kuzma which leads to the inclusion of the unprotected 2024 first-rounder.

Kuzma, the centerpiece in this deal, would bring much relief to the Suns fandom as his presence inside the paint and decent floor-spacing capabilities would be a great stopgap solution in the absence of Johnson.

Avdija, the third-year man from Israel, also brings depth off the bench for the Suns–a major pain point that Phoenix fans have been worried about for much of the offseason.

It is not a perfect trade for the Suns by any means since letting go of Okogie digs an even deeper hole in their depth at the small forward position.

To alleviate those concerns, they could explore the free agent market for some pieces to round out the bench like Ben McLemore and Rodney Hood, both players capable of playing the shooting guard/small forward positions, or even take a chance on the 38-year-old Carmelo Anthony if worse comes to worst.

It should also be noted that Chris Paul went down with a heel soreness injury against the Sixers, so it could be something that they might also address via trade or the buyout market down the road.

Phoenix's hands are practically tied less than a fourth of the way through the 2022-23 NBA season and will need to address their injury concerns as soon as possible to prevent them from slipping off the Top Three of the vicious Western Conference.