The next general manager of the Wizards will be tasked with making a major decision on star guard Bradley Beal, David Aldridge of The Athletic writes.
Beal, named to his second All-Star team this season, has transformed into Washington’s clear leader in the absence of John Wall. He’s averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game on 48% shooting from the field, due to make $27MM next season and $28.7MM the following season.
“I’m not saying you have to trade him,” one NBA executive told Aldridge of Beal. “But you do have to think about it.”
Between Beal and Wall, the next Wizards GM will find more interest around the league in Beal’s services. Wall is under contract for another four seasons ($37.8MM in 2019/20, $40.8MM in 2020/21, $43.8MM in 2021/22 and a $46.9MM player option in 2022/23). That, combined with Wall’s surgeries on his heel and ruptured Achilles this year, make trading him virtually impossible in the present day.
For the Wizards, deciding whether to keep or trade Beal in the coming months will determine their future course. The general manager position — which was vacated when the team dismissed Ernie Grunfeld this week — is said to appeal to current GMs under contract elsewhere largely due to the resources and geography that comes with the job, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter links).
There’s more from the Southeast Division today:
- Magic guard Michael Carter-Williams is proving to be a difference maker as the team looks to make a final push for the playoffs, John Denton of NBA.com writes. Orlando signed Carter-Williams to a rest-of-season contract on Thursday, waiving guard Isaiah Briscoe. Carter-Williams provided a much-needed boost of energy off the bench during his first two 10-day contracts, scoring 5.4 points and dishing out 3.7 assists in 18.7 minutes per outing.
- Heat veteran Udonis Haslem reflected on his storied 16-year career in an exclusive article relayed by Marc Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated, looking back on his competitors, teammates, early upbringing and love for the game of basketball. Haslem has spent the past few seasons in a very limited on-court role, doing most of his work on the Heat with the younger players in practice and in the locker room. Haslem’s veteran presence is greatly valued by Miami’s coaching staff and players, many of whom have publicly stated their hopes of him returning for another season.
- ESPN’s Brian Windhorst chronicles the slow build to success for Hawks guard Trae Young, who continues to improve as the 2018/19 season nears the finish line. Young, a dominant shooter and passer in contention for the Rookie of the Year award, must continue to improve on defense in order to take his game to the next level. The Hawks hold major selling points of Young, John Collins, a new head coach in Lloyd Pierce, cap flexibility and future draft picks for star players entering free agency this summer.
That’s for sure some exciting days to come to Atlanta… great to see a southern team on the way up!!!
Package Beal and Wall together I’m sure some team will take both for free. Then just start over and tank.
Always said Hawks GM Schlenk was smart.
Trading for future picks, looking for values, clearing capspace, paying for notice.
Trade Wall & a pick pkg. for Wiggins & Saric.
Wiggins is a better fit in WAS, where he would help Beal (a threat to draw defenses away) instead of hindering & aggravating him like Wall. Wiggins’ flaws will seem less of a problem with Beal doing them instead. Also IMO Washingtn is kind of a
superficial zone with terrible sports pages, which fits Wiggins more than Wall.
Anyway besides comparing Wiggins to Wall directly, consider their effect on others.
MIN gets the tough guy they wanted with Butler, and Wall is free to take over the perimeter. Plus, picks to compensate for the additional $10mil salary obligation. All win.
Trade can’t work. Need more players involved.
Wall $37.80MM, Wigs 27.27, Saric 3.48
37.80=(27.27+3.48)×1.23
Works, barely. Can’t use trade machines yet, but the salaries are within 125%.
Still wouldn’t do it anyways. Saric and Wiggins are more of an asset then John Wall. Maybe if you take on Wiggins and Gorgui then a convo can be had
Well no picks then. That works technically too, Wall for Wiggins & Dieng straight up, but adds to WAS’s roster instead, abt $3.5MM.
Assuming they turn down Parker, that puts them at $92.7MM, with Ariza, Satoranski, Portis, Green, & Bryant to sign. Dekker maybe. And they would not need Ariza and/or Green with Wiggins in.
5-Bryant Mahinmi Howard, 4-Portis Dekker [Dieng/Saric], 3-[Wigs] Green, 2-Beal Brown, 1- Satoranski Randle McRae or,[Teague].
OR:
Wiggins & Teague ($46.27MM) for Wall & Brown ($41.02MM) also is within 125% and about even, even at positions, so WAS is not made so thin at guard.