The Wizards have shown no inclination yet that they have any interest in moving star guard Bradley Beal, but a pair of reports have given a clue of what the team’s asking price would be if Beal becomes available.
Rod Beard of The Detroit News tweeted on Wednesday that he has heard the Wizards would seek something like two first-round picks, a “young asset,” and another player in exchange for Beal. Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported something similar today, citing sources who say that Washington would want “two players and two draft picks” for Beal.
Building a deal for Beal might be tricky, since both the players and picks would have to be pretty valuable for the Wizards to consider moving their leading scorer — plus, a potential trade partner would almost certainly have to match Beal’s $25.4MM salary without including any unwanted multiyear contracts. We’ll have to wait to see if any club makes a viable offer to the Wizards in advance of next month’s trade deadline.
Here’s more out of D.C.:
- In a column for The Athletic, David Aldridge compares the current Wizards to the 2015 Raptors, who were unceremoniously swept out of the first round by Washington. Despite calls to break up their roster, those Raps worked on surrounding Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan with more talent, and built a perennial 50-win contender. Given their salary commitments, the Wizards may have a hard time taking the same approach with Beal and John Wall, but Aldridge believes it’s possible.
- Within that same article, Aldridge argues that the Wizards should make an effort to keep Wall’s minutes in check next season – and beyond – as they try to keep him healthy. That’s why re-signing RFA-to-be Tomas Satoransky is “a must, not a choice” in the offseason, per Aldridge.
- As they did last season, the Wizards figure to make a concerted effort to move the ball around as much as possible on offense with Wall sidelined, writes Ben Standig of NBC Sports Washington. Standig points to Wednesday’s win over Atlanta, in which the Wizards racked up 29 assists on 43 field goals, as a prime example of that approach. “We’re definitely going to miss [John] and hate that he’s out. Definitely not saying that we’re a better team without him. That’s far from the truth,” Beal said after Wednesday’s win. “But reality is reality. We have to accept the fact that [John] won’t be with us this year and do our best to make a run at it.”
- With Markieff Morris set to be sidelined until at least mid-February, the Wizards will have to make some tough roster decisions before the February 7 trade deadline, as Standig details in a separate NBC Sports Washington story.
I feel like there is a path to making a Beal trade for the Sixers. I just don’t know if Elton Brand has the experience to get it done.
Can’t imagine Washington wants to help the Sixers get better, but anything is possible.
Dallas seems like a good candidate for a Beal trade. They can send back a big expiring in Matthews, and they have a good young player in Dennis Smith Jr. Washington probably doesn’t want Smith, but I bet Orlando would love to have him. With a three team deal, Washington could get cap relief, picks, and probably a player or two… Fournier in Orlando isn’t bad, and could be included.
Playing with the trade machine, Matthews and Smith go to Orlando, Fournier and Augustin go to Washington, and Beal goes to Dallas. Washington gets a couple of picks (one from Orlando, one from Dallas) + luxury tax savings + depth, Orlando gets long term cap relief and a good young player, and Dallas gets a guy that can play off the ball alongside Doncic. Those two together might not need a PG…
Good trade, though Wizrds could use Simmons more than Augustin (because they have Satoransky at backup PG), and Simmons is on the block and could play some defense at G or F, which is lacking. He’s not a shooter but Wash. has Wall & Porter for that. The trade works with Simmons not Augustin also.
More luxury tax relief with Simmons too.
Dallas seems like they need to make a move to get the most value out of Matthews expiring contract. But there are a few deals out there they can get involved in with their assets. Maybe there’s something even better.
Beal may be overrated as a star, to be so favored by the terms of the trade, with Smith having 2.5 cheap years left. But this fits what Dallas needs, and green lights from the other side(s) can be hard to come by.
If Beal can make a fit with Wall than he can with Doncic. SmithJr though, maybe will never fit smoothly. Beal is certainly smooth!
Waiters, Olynyk, and first round picks for Beal
Too little
Dragic, Ellington, and a first rounder
Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the ghost of Jacob Marley
Ingram, Bonga and a 2020 first rounder for Beal.
Too much
If the Wiz go the rebuilding route, then the first move should be to replace Grunfeld with a rebuild-time GM. EG is a natural trader, not acquirer, of 1st rounders. Maybe he can adjust, but I wouldn’t chance it.
a smart gm would trade wall’s albatross contract – getting anything in return would be a win as point guards are a dime a dozen
How you gonna trade Wall? He’s hurt. He’s old. He’s going to earn $43 million next yea. He’s a bad defender and he can be an inefficient scorer
If he’s healthy and filling up the stat sheet, it’s easier to see Wall getting moved. But that’s not happening right now… Maybe next year.