Bradley Beal and Zach LaVine have been “hot names” around the NBA as potential trade targets, but the Wizards and Bulls are rebuffing overtures for their respective leading scorers, says Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).
The fact that the Wizards aren’t showing any interest in moving Beal comes as no surprise, as that has been the team’s stance ever since general manager Tommy Sheppard was hired in 2019. Sheppard reiterated on Tuesday that Beal “isn’t going anywhere” this fall.
LaVine’s status hasn’t been the subject of quite as much speculation as Beal’s, and the new decision makers in Chicago – led by president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas – haven’t given many hints about their plans. Based on Goodwill’s report though, it sounds like the team is looking to hang onto LaVine, who has two years and $39MM left on his team-friendly contract.
According to Goodwill, the Sixers have been one of the many teams kicking the tires on Beal and LaVine.
Earlier today, Jason Dumas of KRON4 News reported (via Twitter) that there’s a growing belief within the 76ers’ front office that the team won’t have a shot at acquiring Rockets star James Harden without including Ben Simmons. Dumas suggested that new president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is working on something else “significant” that would allow the team to keep both Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Beal and LaVine, who both provide play-making abilities, are the sorts of targets that would make sense for Philadelphia. However, with the Wizards and Bulls reportedly resisting offers, any “significant” move by Morey and the Sixers seems unlikely to include either Beal or LaVine.
Teams will continue to monitor Beal’s and LaVine’s situations on draft night and beyond, tweets Goodwill.
I mean if I was the Sixers, would definitely take Harden for Simmons.
I would agree as long as the other trade attachments don’t get too out of hand but it does seem like a no-brainer to me.
Would need to also dump salary in that deal tho. Rockets won’t want to take back contracts so you need a 3rd.
I wouldn’t trade Simmons for Harden. Harden is 7 years older and his style of play would take away from Embiid.
Actually, I think his style would help. His ability to shoot from the perimeter opens up the inside from collapsing due to the team’s inability to shoot outside (especially Simmons) and his ability to also dish the ball (remember his triple doubles). The Sixers lose out on defense in that deal, but it’s one that may help keep Embiid happy and give them four capable scoring options that aren’t all in the post.
Harden defense is awful, he takes a ton of shots. He needs the ball in his hands. I don’t see how that benefits Embiid. Simmons game is more compatible with Embiid. That doesn’t mean I’m saying Simmons is a better talent.
Harden has actually become the most underrated low post defender in the NBA.
what is that the Nnamdi defense argument? Really good if no one throws to him? Harden is a really good low post defender bc he doesn’t do it?
No, look it up. His defense in the low post was among the best of anyone last season.
I’m sure the NBA is enamored with his low post D. What’s he gonna do next. Best rim protector. Dude no one cares about his D. Cause he don’t play any. Sixers would be dumbest team to get him. They need concentrate on their 25 and under stars. Simmons and Embiid is the future here. I’m sure Morey knows that. You don’t bring in a 31 yr old ball hog. When you got the best Big man in game.
Ridiculous homers are ridiculous, that is you
Harden isn’t underrated at anything, nor is he a good defender by any metric, homer.
Simmons also needs the ball to be effective. Harden is Iso Joe on steroids tho. They need to target younger cheaper dudes that can score from the off guard. Hield, LaVine, Fournier, etc. Beal and Harden are pipe dreams.
Doubt it’s going to be straight up…..unless bill o’brien is now the gm of Houston’s basketball team.
Hahahaha
Earlier today, Jason Dumas of KRON4 News reported (via Twitter) that there’s a growing belief within the 76ers’ front office that the team won’t have a shot at acquiring Rockets star James Harden without including Ben Simmons.
I don’t know how that would be possible, unless the Sixers traded Embiid instead
Also, I would rather have Zach LaVine, that dude is a mad athlete.
-Hey Daryl, were are not giving you Lavine!
-Who dis? U called me!
-Too busy gotta go. Lavine is not available!
Some times a team can’t get out of their own way.
Wizards should certainly trade Beal.
Pelicans should be all over it.
Reddick, Miller, Hart (salary filler) Alexander Walker and however many 1st rounders for Beal (3, 4, 5?)
Pair Beal with Lonzo and Zion.
Why should the Wizards deal Beal? The GM there isn’t tasked with helping to build a team in NO. Beal won’t be worth any less next offseason and he hasn’t demanded a move. Play it out a year and see what Wall is now. If Wall is 80% of what he was they could win some games with a decent big man addition.
Why would Wizards deal Beal?
Couple reasons:
He’s under contract for 2 more years (trade him later and the return is reduced with only 1 year left).
The Wizards banking on a healthy John Wall isn’t a winning strategy (they didnt win with him healthy, 80% isn’t going to be any better)
His value is as high as its going to be. The wizards aren’t 1 or 2 guys away from taking on the Celtics, 76ers, and rest of the east. Trade your best asset, accumulate draft picks, and build a young core to contend in 2 or 3 years from now.
Not the most popular strategy but Beal will be a free agent well before the Wizards are even thinking about being an actual contender.
Horrid trade for wizards
Literally the same trade Clippers sent to the Thunder for Paul George.
Thunder received a young guard (SGA), Gallinari for salary matching, 4 1sts and 2 pick swaps.
Wizard receive a young guard (Alexander), 4 or 5 1sts (possibly pick swaps), and salary filler in the form of Reddick/Hart/Miller.
Literally the same trade.
Alexander is not a worthy centerpiece for Beal
At the time of the deal, Shai had made an all rookie team and the rising stars game. Alexander-Walker has started 1 NBA game. OKC also got 5 first round picks and 2 swaps.
Only reason thunder got that deal is because it came with a kawhi signing, otherwise they never would of paid that for george. Your comp makes no sense.
Which is why the Wizards are receiving
The # 13 overall pick in the 2020 draft (higher than draft picks the Thunder received for George, least in the next couple years) along with the other 1sts.
Here’s what the Thunder received.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Danilo Gallinari
Miami Heat 2021 unprotected first-round draft pick (looking like late 1st rounder)
Clippers 2022 unprotected first-round draft pick
(looking like a late first round)
Miami Heat 2023 protected 1 through 14 first-round draft pick
(at best 15, more likely lower)
Right to swap 2023 first-round pick with Clippers
(could be useful)
Clippers 2024 unprotected first-round draft pick
(probably the 2nd most useful asset)
Right to swap 2025 first-round pick with Clippers
(could be useful)
Clippers 2026 unprotected first-round draft pick
(probably the 1st most useful asset)
SGA during his rookie season-
Played 26.5 MPG, shot .476% from the field, .367% from 3, and averaged 10.8 PPG
Alexander during his rookie season –
Played 12.6 MPG, .368% from the field, .346% from 3, and averaged 5.7 PPG.
Its pretty difficult to compare their rookie seasons when SGA played over twice as much as Alexander did……but sure, “not worthy” based off an irregular season rookie performance that included a shut down and bubble restart.
Minny should be all over Beal. Wiseman in DC
I think eventually Beal is going to be moved. Wall has to play to show. Wizards have a young team. Can’t move Wall. Do only way they get deeper and better. Is by moving Beal for pieces. They will never win East under a Wall contract. Best to rebuild and let him lead the way. Then you can move him in two or three yrs.