It’s looking as likely as ever before that Bradley Beal gets dealt away from the Washington Wizards. Beal’s been playing at a superstar level for quite some time now, although the Wizards have failed to adequately build around him. At 28-years-old, and in the middle of his prime, it may be time for Beal to seek greener pastures in hopes of playing for a contender.
Three Bradley Beal Trade Ideas
Charlotte Explodes on Offense
The trade: Washington sends Beal and Thomas Bryant to the Charlotte Hornets for Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, Mason Plumlee, James Bouknight, and a future first-round pick.
Charlotte continues to excel on offense. Taking a different direction from that success is risky. With that being said, it’s rare that a player of Beal’s caliber becomes available. Charlotte would be wise to make a move as a Beal and LaMelo Ball pairing can be one for the history books. Beal is averaging 23 points per game this season, but he’s shown an ability to be so much better than that already. In addition, Charlotte snags a new big man in Bryant.
Washington collects a number of players and assets here. First off, Rozier is a very capable starter. Perhaps Washington can avoid a total rebuild with Rozier around. Plumlee is a veteran, but he can be moved for more assets. Contending teams will keep an eye out on him. The Wizards also receive two promising young players. Washington (the player) is an extremely versatile forward. He’s shown plenty of potential talent and the team would be wise to build on that. Bouknight is a recent lottery pick. He just needs more playing time to blossom. Lastly, the Wizards receive a future first-rounder.
Philadelphia Comes Calling
The trade: Washington sends Beal to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons and two second-round picks.
At some point, Simmons has to leave Philadelphia. They can’t continue to hang onto him as Joel Embiid is playing at an MVP level and ready to contend for a championship. Beal may very well be the missing piece for the 76ers. Beal and Embiid will form a terrific duo alone, but Philadelphia has plenty of other pieces as well. This includes Tobias Harris (should he remain on the team), Seth Curry, Tyrese Maxey, and others. Embiid’s current play is far too good to waste.
Washington can decide to go the route of collecting assets when trading Beal. That’s the most likely scenario. Acquiring a young All-Star, who has yet to reach his prime, is in reach with Simmons as well. Sure, Simmons has the reputation of not being able to shoot, but he does everything else at a very high level. Washington still has plenty of shooting talent, such as Kyle Kuzma, Davis Bertans, Spencer Dinwiddie, Corey Kispert, and so on. Simmons will bring the playmaking and All-NBA Defense. He’s also three years younger than Beal.
Bradley Beal to the Big Apple
The trade: Washington sends Beal to the New York Knicks. New York sends Evan Fournier, Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes, and a first-round pick to Washington and Kemba Walker to the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas sends Trey Burke and their Josh Richardson trade exception to the Knicks.
There are plenty of moving parts in this guard-focused trade.
Washington takes in Fournier to make salaries work. This team can remain somewhat competitive with this move, although they’d be wise to allow Fournier to gain value and possibly trade him in the future. Quickley and Grimes are two solid assets to have. Quickley is a very capable starter who has plenty of untapped potential. Grimes is looking better and better and will be a mainstay in Washington’s rotation. The Wizards also get the Knicks’ first-round pick.
Beal arrives in New York, where he allows the Knicks to become exponentially better as well as becoming a major playoff threat. They also get a trade exception and depth in Burke from Dallas after giving up Walker who’s essentially out of the main rotation.
Dallas gets their secondary ball-handler in Walker and a talented veteran who will lead the bench unit. Their trade exception is massive and they must put it to good use.
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Main Image: Embed from Getty Images
