The Wizards have begun to give rival teams the impression that they’re open to discussing any player on their roster in trade talks, including John Wall or Bradley Beal, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
According to Wojnarowski, the Wizards would prefer to reshape their roster around Wall and Beal, and have resisted including the two star guards in past trade discussions, including talks for Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler. However, it’s “rapidly becoming apparent” to the club that it will need to start considering inquiries on Wall and Beal, says Woj.
Washington had hoped that players like Otto Porter or Kelly Oubre could be the key piece(s) in a trade that returns a third impact player, but those guys have received “minimal” interest on the market, per Wojnarowski. Porter, who is earning $26MM+ in 2018/19, still has two years and nearly $56MM left on his deal after this season. Oubre, meanwhile, will hit restricted free agency in 2019, and will be in line for a raise.
The rest of the players on the Wizards’ roster also have limited trade value, so the team’s best hope of making meaningful changes would be via a deal that features Wall or Beal. Still, that won’t be so simple either — Wall’s four-year super-max extension, which goes into effect next season, won’t appeal to teams, and his 15% trade kicker would complicate any deal made this season. As for Beal, he’s three years younger than Wall and represents the best asset the Wizards have, so the club would certainly require a substantial haul in order to part with him.
The Wizards had entered the season once again hoping that the Wall/Beal duo – complemented by Porter, Oubre, Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris, and others – could lead the team to a top-four seed in the East, and perhaps a deep playoff run. However, after finishing eighth in the conference last season, Washington is off to an even worse start this year, with a 5-11 record.
As Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington details, the Wizards are confused and frustrated by their on-court results this season, given the talent on the roster. However, Wall said that he still thinks the current group can figure things out, while Morris suggested that it’s “not time for a fire sale.”
I read the Wizards are the only team in the NBA with a losing record that is paying the luxury tax. Minnesota wanted Beal.
Fox Sports is saying Howard re injured his glute and had to come out of yesterdays game at halftime.
Wall needs to come home to Phoenix
Makes sense but phoenix would probably need to give up this year pick, josh jackson and maybe tj warren. But a wall, ayton, booker is pretty tantilizing.
If I was Phoenix, I’d offer nothing but cap filler. Wall’s contract is an albatross. Taking it on is enough to make the deal, no other incentives needed.
Sam Amick thinks so too.
beal to toronto for lowry and powell
I think you throw in Rivers and a 2nd you could pry Kawhi loose too
Scott Brooks tells Fred Katz of “The Athletic” today that Wizards don’t have leadership problem, they have a play hard issue. They went down by 2o in the first 8 minutes to Portland yesterday. Brooks played the bench the entire 4th quarter and got it back to 10. Wall says it’s not time to tear it down yet.
Blackballed I can see da future now
Sam Amick is taking questions until 1 pm on “The Athletic.” Amick thinks Grunfeld may have to take the fall, and doesn’t think Wall will be traded. I asked if he thinks the Pacers will pay Turner and Sabonis $20mm a year? Several Pacer fans are asking what willhappen with them, especially with Sabonis outplaying Turner.
Amick says if Wall were to be traded, he thinks it would be Phoenix. Says if Warriors falls apart at the seams, he sees the Raptors winning it.
Wall needs to go. He thinks he’s a star when he’s just a really good passer who shoots in volume. That and it seems everyone in Washington is looking to pad their stats and I’m betting their floor general is part of the reason there’s so much divide.
Interesting. Feel theyll keep one buy why not trade the three and have a chance at a full rebuild as well as a shot on Zion Williamson? Wall to Orlando seems likely as I think Phoenix will eventually get Rozier. Perhaps call Lakers see what they’ll offer for Beal as for Porter Jr maybe Portland?
I second Wall to Orlando.
At this point, it makes no sense to build around Beal and Wall. It’s not working. Period. Incredible lack of chemistry.
The day they have Wall the money this was inevitable. He is a very selfish person. He also does not work on his game like the great ones do. Beal is the prize for another team.
Utah should take a shot at Wall, assuming they can trade Burks and Sefolosha to do it. Wall is crazy expensive long term, but they could probably contend this year and next with him on the roster.
I’m not saying I love the idea, but they need scoring if they’re going to win it all.
I don’t think Wall is trade-able right now or even this season. He’s not right for a rebuilding team, he’s not right for a team figuring to have significant cap space this summer, and he’s not right for a team figuring to be at or over the cap due going into next year (most of whom are set at PG) unless they’re dying to be at or over the luxury tax line due to acquiring him alone. Over the summer maybe, as not all the teams accumulating cap space will get the FAs they want and he can be traded for other frothy contracts.
Howard: San Antonio, Milwaukee Toronto
Beal: Minnesota, New Orleans, Lakers,
Wall: Detroit, Phoenix, San Antonio, Indiana
One thing I’ve noticed about this whole situation: people think Bradley Beal is worth wayyyyy more than he actually is. Great player, but people are acting like he’s on a rookie contract still or something
Yes, Beal and Porter are the same age and make almost exactly the same for the same years. Nobody talks about how Beal’s contract is bloated yet Porter has had better stats.