Of course, I see your point and agree, Kuzma and THJ are similar but different in important ways. I'm one who doesn't think THJ is a bad player. He's a 6th man of the year candidate. We all know his flaws and question how much he contributes to winning. Kuzma costs more, but he's bigger. Neither is super efficient but both can score. Kuzma is the better defender and rebounder, but he's no stopper, and he costs more. Kuzma is younger. EDIT to add, per Dan's comment, THJ gets to play with Luka! Kuz gets to play with Jordan Poole.
The deal I'd like to see, if Indiana would cooperate, is to deal THJ for expiring Hield. The Pacers tried to tie up Buddy but they couldn't come to terms. It's likely Indiana sees Hield and THJ as similar players, and my guess is they would be happy paying THJ's declining salary for a couple more years rather than lose Hield for nothing or overpay. Maybe you get an asset out of the Pacers as well.
Then you send Hield and expiring Smoove to WAS for Kuzma as a straight salary dump along with a couple of seconds. Maybe you expand the deal by adding Green for Avidja and a first instead of the seconds. I think Kuz will be worth more than expiring and seconds though.
As I mentioned previously I think Kuzma is expiring + young player + 1st
The deal I'd like to see, if Indiana would cooperate, is to deal THJ for expiring Hield. The Pacers tried to tie up Buddy but they couldn't come to terms. It's likely Indiana sees Hield and THJ as similar players, and my guess is they would be happy paying THJ's declining salary for a couple more years rather than lose Hield for nothing or overpay. Maybe you get an asset out of the Pacers as well.
Then you send Hield and expiring Smoove to WAS for Kuzma as a straight salary dump along with a couple of seconds. Maybe you expand the deal by adding Green for Avidja and a first instead of the seconds. I think Kuz will be worth more than expiring and seconds though.
As I mentioned previously I think Kuzma is expiring + young player + 1st