Drew Gooden: Wizards trading Hachimura to LA 'strategic, not personal'

On Monday afternoon, news broke that the Washington Wizards were trading fanfavorite Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Lakers. It's a movethat shocked and disappointed many Wizards fans, who had high hopesfor their team's ninth overall draft pick just four years ago.

Hachimura had been averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 rebounds pergame this season, just coming off of a season-high 30-point gameoff the bench in a blowout win over the Orlando Magic this pastweekend.

The Wizards did avoid having to take on any long-term salariesin the trade — and didn't give away any of their draft picks — butit failed to tip the scale of disappointment for Wizards fans, wholooked at Hachimura as being an integral part of the team’sfuture.

I caught up with Drew Gooden, a 14-year NBAveteran who formerly played for the Washington Wizards and is nowan analyst for NBC Sports Washington and Monumental Sports toanalyze this trade.

Etan Thomas: What was your reaction to thetrade? Rui was really a fan favorite, and a lot of people in theDMV really didn’t see this coming and have been voicing theiropinions on this, but what was your reaction?

Drew Gooden: "It was strictly business. Likeyou said, he’s a fan favorite and Rui had a window to get better onboth sides of the ball both offensively and defensively. He justscored 30 points against the Orlando Magic. So we know what Ruicould provide right now and potentially for the future. But Ibelieve this was strictly a business decision the Wizards had tomake in order to have the possibility of re-signing Kyle Kuzma inthe offseason."

Etan: So, I’ve heard people say that and do youthink that’s all it boils down to? The Wizards had to make thismove to free up cap space? I saw they made the point clear thatthey were not entertaining any calls or inquiries for Kuz as weapproach this trade deadline.

Gooden: "Absolutely, this wasn’t personal atall. But truth be told, I think this is a great opportunity forRui. Not only from a business standpoint of getting an extensionand becoming part of a great organization in the Los AngelesLakers, but the relationship that his agent has with Rob Pelinka;there is a business relationship already established there. And hegets the chance to play with one of the best players ever to playthe game in LeBron James. And he’ll be able to learn under LeBronjust like Kyle Kuzma was able to learn under LeBron, so I thinkthis is a positive for Rui.

"And there was some pressure for him to sign his extension.Because if you look at the 2019 draft class and you look at all theguys who have received their extensions — and these are differentplayers that I’m going to list off — but you have Zion[Williamson], Ja Morant, RJ Barrett, De'Andre Hunter — the fourthpick — signed his extension, Darius Garland signed his rookie maxextension with Cleveland. So these guys are trying to get lockedin, and there is peer pressure — and you know this — when you seeguys that you got drafted with already getting their extensions,but you haven’t gotten yours yet. It’s added pressure for you as aplayer from a business standpoint. And you’re looking at your teamlike, 'Why are these other guys getting paid, but I’m not?' and,'Why are you not investing in me and showing your faith in me?' Andunfortunately, the Washington Wizards just weren’t in a position todo that."

Etan: I’ve heard this in conversation, so letme repeat what the word on the street is. Many people have pointedto the fact that the Wizards have developed almost a pattern of notre-signing their draft picks. In fact, the last Wizards pick toearn an extension was Otto Porter Jr., and he was drafted was adecade ago.

Gooden: "Yeah, I have noticed that. But in thiscase, Kyle Kuzma just threw a monkey wrench in all of the planswith his play. He has shown that he can actually carry the teamwhen Bradley Beal is out; that’s invaluable. And you have anothersituation in [Kristaps] Porzingis that you may have to beconfronted with because he can opt out (in late June before freeagency starts) — now, what happens if he opts out? I’m sure theWizards would love to re-sign both of them, but they have to be ina financial situation where they could possibly do that, andhonestly, that’s the only reason for this trade. It’s a strategicmove; not personal, just business."

Etan: Let me ask you this — and of course, it’shard to predict — but how likely would you say it is that Kuzmadoes re-sign with the Wizards in the offseason? Becausethat’s what’s on everybody’s mind right now. You’ve traded thisyoung talent who is a fan favorite, and what happens if Kuzmadoesn’t re-sign with the Wizards?

Kyle Kuzma's 30 points power the @WashWizardsto victory in Dallas! pic.twitter.com/EAyAPAuZgY

Gooden: "It’s, 'What’s that magical number thatcould get the job done? What will make Kuzma sign that deal andstay in DC?' Because he will be an unrestricted free agent. Ibelieve he could maximize his earnings staying with the Wizards.They do have his Bird Rights. That’sthe hope, that’s the strategy and the Wizards have to do everythingin their power to put themselves in the position to be able to makethat happen, and that’s all they can control."

Etan: What does Kendrick Nunn bring to thetable?

Gooden: "This is an interesting situation. Inmy years past looking at these trades — and giving up someone likeRui and getting draft picks and a guy with an expiring contract —it’s probably another business decision. I’m not sure if there isgoing to be a future here for him or not. But, maybe he’ll get ashot and bring something to the table where he changes people’sminds, which is very possible. That’s what Kyle Kuzma did. Hechanged the narrative and made the organization shift their plans.Nunn could do that, even with the packed point guards (room) wecurrently have.

"But I know for a fact that (Nunn) can put the ball in the hole.His time in Miami, he was a 15-plus-point scorer in this league; Isaw him with my own eyes in real time. He can catch wavesthroughout the course of a game and really take over games. So ifhe has that opportunity to play and show what he can do, there’s nodoubt in my mind that he can play at a high level. It’s just theclutter of all of the point guards on the roster right now. Sowe’ll see what happens."

Etan: Right. It will definitely be interestingto see. Okay, last question. Where do you think the Wizards end upthis year? Of course, they have to stay healthy. That’s one of themain things. But what is the ceiling or possibility for them thisseason?

Gooden: "Well, the Play-In Tournament I believedoesn’t allow teams to let go of the rope down the stretch of theseason. In the past, some teams may get to that point where they’rethinking more of improving their chances in the lottery. This is aninteresting window, and someone just asked me this question theother day.

"They asked, 'What is the Wizards identity?' And you know what?They haven’t been whole the entire season. You have had smallsample sizes where you had Porzingis, Beal and Kuzma all on thefloor together, but nothing consistent this entire season. But onething I know — they have a chance to win every given night nomatter who is on the floor. They’re a team that won’t allowthemselves to let go of the rope."