As potential suitors get in touch with the Wizards about Bradley Beal, the team’s new-look front office – led by president Michael Winger – is staying in “close contact” with Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein to discuss potential trade scenarios, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
According to Shams Charania and Josh Robbins of The Athletic, the Wizards and Beal have an understanding that they’ll work together to find a deal that sends the three-time All-Star to a contender if the team decides to rebuild its roster.
The reports from ESPN and The Athletic don’t come as a real surprise. When Winger was named the Wizards’ new head of basketball operations last month, reports indicated that team owner Ted Leonsis was open to a rebuild if that’s the path that Winger wanted to take. And given that Beal is the only NBA player with a full no-trade clause, the team would have no choice but to work with the 29-year-old and his camp if it wants to deal him as part of a roster reset.
According to both Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s duo, it remains unclear whether Winger will decide to reshape Washington’s roster, so there’s no guarantee that Beal will be on the move this offseason. But the two sides intend to work amicably on next steps, per The Athletic. Discussions about Beal’s future in D.C. are expected to become more frequent in the coming weeks, sources tell ESPN.
Beal’s value will be limited not just by his no-trade clause, which allows him to essentially choose his new team, but by his recent injury history, his dip in production, and his massive contract.
The former third overall pick has played just 90 games across the last two seasons and has seen his scoring average dip to 23.2 points per game during that time (he averaged 31.3 PPG in 2020/21). However, he signed a maximum-salary contract as a free agent last summer and is owed nearly $208MM over the next four years. He also has a 15% trade kicker, though his salary in 2023/24 will likely be above the league-wide max, so that kicker wouldn’t be applied.
During a TV appearance on Wednesday (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said he thinks the return in any trade involving Beal would surprise people based on how low it might be. As Windhorst points out, Beal’s no-trade clause doesn’t just let him pick his landing spot — it also lets him approve the package he gets dealt for, since he’d have veto power if he thinks his new team is giving up too much.
Miami and Philadelphia are among the teams that have been linked to Beal in the past, and the Heat are expected to be a “prominent” suitor for him if he’s available this summer, per Charania and Robbins. Previous reporting indicated that the Heat are prepared to peruse the trade market in search of a star in the coming weeks.
In addition to Beal, a pair of other key Wizards players have uncertain futures in D.C. Both Kyle Kuzma ($13MM) and Kristaps Porzingis ($36MM) hold players options for 2023/24. Kuzma is considered a lock to opt out and become a free agent, while Porzingis’ decision is TBD.
Miami for Herro and picks
Herro might be an over pay. Herro for Lavine is the better look.
Beal is a less value Lavine RN. Both similar players with injury history and expensive contract. Lavine is worth more because he’s 2 years younger, is being paid less and no trade clause in Beals contract. Whoever trades for him have to bear in mind they could be stuck with a dud for the next 4 seasons which will result in his value being lower than expected.
Either way looks like there may be a few stars on the move this off season.
Hilarious if he ends up in Portland – “Hey Dame, we got you another 6’4″ shooting guard!”
If you see Brad Beal as another 6’4 shooting guard then you’re watching the game wrong
Tell me how? He’s exactly what I said he is. He’s an undersized scoring guard.
Nah bro Blazers have a few possible paths forward but this is not one of them..
Brad wants to play with jojo. Sorry Charlie.
The good news is the new front office actually seems to be serious about a rebuild.
The bad news is good luck moving Beal’s contract lol. They are going to need a stupid team desperate for an infusion of talent any way they can get it.
Like 4 playoff teams fired there coach for losing. I think this off-season a few teams get wild to try and get over the hump.
Wizards love giving out untenable contracts to their guards over the years.
Lu Dort, Alek Poku & 3 1sts ( for Brad Beal should make all parties happy IF Presti can convince Brad to live in Oklahoma for the next 4+ yrs
Miami for Lowry and picks
lol bro Lowry is terrible and old af. No shot they even think about that trade.
I could see it. Washington kind of has to focus on rebuilding if they trade Beal. Waving the last year of Lowry’s contract to get the picks would make sense for them, and it would make Beal more likely to accept the trade since the Heat aren’t giving up current assets for him. I’m not sure it works financially though? Miami has to include like 15 million more in salary.
Lowry + Caleb Martin works, in terms of money. Would make a little more sense, but still a reach unless there are a ton of picks included.
Couple things.
A) Beal isn’t worth his contract. He’s not. I like him as a player, but he’s a weak-defense 2 guard who isn’t consistent on offense. He can give you big games, but he can also give you nothing.
B) Washington has no leverage. They know they have to rebuild and if they fail to trade Beal and he decides to sit out instead of playing, they have a 45 million dollar weight attached to their payroll until they give him away for a worse return. They don’t really have any avenues to improve, outside of maybe going all-out to acquire a point guard and trying to run it back with Beal/Porzingis/Kuzma/Gafford/whoever they get to run the point full-time. On top of that, Beal’s no-trade clause gives him all the initiative when it comes to picking his destination and return package.
C) Washington doesn’t necessarily need players to start a rebuild, they need extra picks. Lowry+Whatever is just icing if they choose to use them. The picks are the entire point of any return they’ll get. Maybe they’d like a good young player like Anfernee Simons to try and build around, but they’ve been kind of stuck in the middle for years and probably *should* go whole-hog on the rebuild.
Agreed on all of that, but I think there are dumb enough franchises out there who think they are just 1 all-star caliber player away from contending, who will be willing to trade a decent young piece for Beal. I think there will be better offers on the table for them than 1 old ass PG with an expiring contract + late 1st round picks for the next few years.
Well said ION; Lowry Ola 18 pick next Thursday is probably in the ballpark given your point A
They probably squeeze more picks but the 3rd to last paragraph from the article for those that made it that far is what I have been feeling for awhile now with Beal
You are right. The Wizards are stuck. Can’t see another team taking on Beal and his contract. Just ‘running it back’ and trying to pick up some decent role players may be all that is possible.
Korkmaz and Tobias plus picks for Beal!
I wonder where Porzingis and Kuzma could go even. Contender or Rockets or somewhere.
To Hogwarts for a wizard to be named later.
Lol to the washington franchise with this ridiculous contract with beal… beal won the lottery every year the past 11 yrs of his stay in dc plus 4 more yrs Of winning the jackpot ..You are stuck with this.
We are already talking about Beal as one of the worst super max contracts moving forward.
Is that because hes in Washington, injuries, age decline. Hes 30, contract runs through age 33. 46, 50, 53, and 57M. That’s a lot for a #2 option. But hes a guy that can get you 20 to 50pts any given night, no defense tho.
What team is giving up multiple 1sts for him?
What team has the surrounding pieces that make the most sense?
Everyone keeps saying Sixers. They have 1 first to trade.
Knicks have the picks and expiring contracts to facilitate a trade. Toppin, Rose, Fournier, Dal 24, Wash pick (24 to 26 depending on where it falls), MLK 25 1st. Brunson, Beal, Barrett, Randle, Robinson. Consolation prize for not getting DMitchell.
I’d say it’s the most logical spot for both. I don’t see the reasoning to deal Herro for Beal if Dame becomes available. Heat can make moves that don’t involve Herro to improve their roster and not gut the future.
I don’t see the fit for OKC, I wouldn’t deal my picks and eat up my future cap space for a non-top 10 player. I would try to trade up to for Brandon Miller in this draft. They have a max slot available next year. SGA, Giddy, Chet, and Jalen look like your potential starters, Dort et al off the bench. Miller as a PG13 comp is really what they could use on that roster, not Bradley Beal.
People were talking about it being a bad contract before he even signed it.
As a Knicks fan I’m down with that idea. Puts the Knicks in the tax but for all Dolan’s faults, he’s not cheap.
They could always trade Randle in another deal under this trade scenario too.
Somebody will gamble a Beal, and his albatross of a contract.
Be the best thing the Wizards have done in a decade
I wouldn’t hate it if Charlotte traded for Beal. Hayward and Ourbe for Beal works in the trade machine, and it gets Washington off long-term money. Throw in picks that aren’t #2 overall, if needed.
In my opinion Beal wouldn’t approve a trade to Charlotte. May as well stay in Washington.
As much as I want you to be wrong, I’m inclined to agree with you.
Oubre is a FA. Can’t do a S&T involving Oubre and Hayward for Beal.
Didn’t realize you couldn’t S&T there, Philly. Thanks!
Beal to the Celtics for Smart, Brogdon and picks
Smart, Pritchard, Grant Williams and 1st for Beal. Or J.Brown for Beal. (-_-)
Money doesn’t work. Unless Grant agrees to a sign and trade for like 19 mil a year, the Celtics need to send out more money. But I doubt the Wizards want to commit to him long term at that much if they’re going into a full rebuild.
Can’t even do this trade. Can’t involve other players from the team doing the signing and trading.
J.Brown gets the deal done
Lol well yeah…. JB is the better player currently, of course the Wizards take him back.
Beal had his most success as a player when he was second fiddle to John Wall. That contact was s ridiculous idea
We don’t want Beal. DeRozan is better, cheaper, and easier to trade for. Beal will be 30 June 28. He’s in his prime. So he might wake up on a contender. I’d rather go with DeR for a few yrs. And he can retire a Knick.
We will be deeper and better with DeR.
Heat definitely can use Beal. He’d be cheaper than Dame.
I’d consider him on Knicks. Only on a fair deal. Not overpaying for Beal.
Beal is the same type of player as Mitchell, did you not want Mitchell? He’ll cost less in terms of assets. DeRozan means you have to move Randle. It’s a marginal upgrade over Randle, whereas it’s a huge upgrade at the 2 if you got Beal. You get Beal and you can move Randle for someone else if you want, honestly you could probably target both if the Knicks wanted to go “all-in” on that.
Brunson, Grimes/Hart, Barrett, DeRozan, Robinson
vs
Brunson, Beal, Barrett, Randle, Robinson.
26.4PPG 4.5TRB 5.3AST 48 FG% 34 3P% Beal last 3 years.
26.9PPG 4.3TRB 5.0AST 45 FG% 37 3P% Mitchell.
No I didn’t want Mitchell. He was too pricey. I guess you don’t read what I post. But you will asume what I want. Brilliant lol.
I’ve been touting DeR for a yr now. It’s real simple. He’s cheaper and gives us what we lack and need. But I look at Beal if the price is right. I’m not a daydreamer like most of the posters here. I’ve been building this team since day one. There is no rush to contending. We just got to respectability. The next step is coming.
My bad dude. I forgot to check my spreadsheet where I log all of your takes.
Trading for DeRozan is a win-now move though, last year it would have taken more assets than this year, but it’s still a win-now due to his age. Hes 34 going into next season so… it’s honestly kinda pointless to trade for him unless you are going to make a serious push. If it’s in combination with another major move, it would make sense.
No disrespect to future HOFer Grimes, but they need a better combo guard if Barrett is going to be your 3 and as you want, DeRozan at the 4 and Hart is your 1st off the bench. Do you agree on that?
Knicks were also respectable once they made the playoffs 2 yrs ago. As proven by Miami, anyone can come out of the East. Time to use those so so 1sts and acquire talent.
2 years 2 late
The good news on Beal is that he’s only 30 (in a few months). The bad news is he’s only 30, and both stats and optics suggest he’s already moved out of his prime. He’s played in only a little over 50 games per year over the past 4 seasons. He still scores points, but the increased volume hasn’t made him more impactful, but less. He can still disappear late in games, even after fits of volume shooting for much of the game. The crown jewel of his skill set, his 3 pt shooting, has been in steady decline from his mid-20’s. Over the past 5 seasons combined, his 3 pt percentage is below league average. His defense has never been good, as in effective, but there are more and more instances of him giving “star” effort. This isn’t a bad year or two. These are longer term trends that usually afflict older players, but, regardless, they rarely reverse themselves.
How is it people are saying they can’t get out of beals contract when they got out of walls and westbrooks a team will take Beal
Them guys are much better than he will ever be, perhaps that has something to do with it, right?
Death, taxes & the annual Beal trade rumors
Fournier, Hartenstien, Toppin and picks for Beal?