FanPost

Bradley Beal Trade Packages

With the reports that Beal is considering a trade request, I think it is time to truly consider potential trade scenarios. This is no longer a case of wishing him to leave against his will, there are now (unverified) reports that he's looking to leave. With the news that Dame is also considering a trade request, Beal doesn't have another example to look to and justify his unquestioned loyalty to the team that drafted him; he needs to start thinking about championships and his legacy.

The Trade Market

First, let's consider the landscape of the NBA. The league is wide open. The Bucks won a championship and look like a strong team for the next few years, but they are not the insurmountable 'Superteam' that the Golden State Warriors were. Teams are more willing to go all in knowing that they don't need to wait out the demise of a uniquely dominant team to actually contend for a title. The playoff and contention windows are more wide open than in the recent years, and Brad is the kind of player that can thrust a borderline team into contention status. He's one the elite scorers in the league, is a reasonable second playmaker, and by all accounts a solid teammate. He should be in high demand. Additionally, the trade market is rather bare for the time being. Dame counts as the only comparable player potentially on the market at this point, and that is not yet confirmed (for what it's worth, Brad hasn't made an official decision as of yet either). Chris Paul could potential hit the market as well if he asks for a trade out of Phoenix, though his market is likely restricted to LAL. Kawhi could potentially shake things up if he asks out of LAC, putting Paul George on the market as well. However, those latter options are not yet available and likely won't be until the draft; if Brad puts in a request prior to the draft, the market is definitely in our favour.

Rebuilding Teams (6)

Truth be told, these teams would likely look at what it takes to get Brad since he should be desirable to anyone. However, the cost is certain to rise high enough to prohibit these teams from trading for him.

Detroit, Orlando, Cleveland, Houston, Oklahoma City, Toronto.

Toronto may be a borderline addition to this list, as they could potentially package OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakam and #4; however, if they do so they would giving up the kinds of players they'd need to contend with Brad as well as the assets to continue team building. I think chances are they just re-tool through the draft.

Asset Poor Teams (13)

These teams may want Beal, but simply do not have either the promising prospects or draft capital to make it happen.

Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio, LA Lakers, Blazers, Dallas, Brooklyn, LA Clippers, Utah, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Sacramento, Indiana.

I included Phoenix, LAL, LAC, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Utah here because their trades wouldn't make sense for them. They do technically have worthwhile players to trade, but they would want those players playing alongside Brad, and not going to the Wizards. Outside of those players, they do not have the draft picks or prospects to send back.

Unlikely Matches (3)

These teams technically could piece together a trade package worth considering from our end, but it is unlikely it would help them from a roster construction standpoint. Maybe they do get crazy, but I strongly doubt they consider these trades.

Memphis - Jaren Jackson Jr., #17, pick swap between Memphis and Utah 2022 FRP, 2023 FRP. Jaren Jackson is a very promising player, and could potentially be one of the most versatile bigs in the league if everything comes together. However, he's coming to the end of his rookie contract and has had injury issues all throughout. Maybe the Grizzlies look to add Beal to help Ja knowing that they have multiple promising and capable bigs (JV, Brandon Clarke, Xavier Tillman). The draft picks would all likely be in the teens. This trade depends on how high you are on JJJ; I'll be honest, I think there's a chance he ends up as a defensively capable Christian Wood. I think he makes multiple All-Defense teams, his shot is legit, and his athleticism is fluid. Then again, for those reason the Grizz probably want to hold onto him. On the other hand, he's had injury concerns and hasn't yet put it together. I figure they might look into the trade, but wouldn't really consider it.

Boston - Jaylen Brown. Brad wants to be here. Only way a trade gets done, however, is if Jaylen Brown comes back. Celtics likely don't entertain the thought. Their counter offer would likely look something along the lines of Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson, Robert Williams III, 2023 FRP, 2025 FRP. This trade isn't enough; Williams is nice but can't be the best prospect coming back, and the picks are underwhelming. To be completely honest, it's doubtful Celtics pull the trigger either; Smart is lesser player than Beal but the Celtics need his energy and defense, more so than they need the scoring punch from Beal. Looks like Brad won't be reuniting with Jayson.

New York - Barrett, #21. Barret is exactly the kind of player we should want in return for Brad. However, this defeats the purpose for New York; they want to pair Brad with Barrett. They also have cap space, and therefore shouldn't be desperate. Their counteroffer would likely follow along these lines - Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, #19, #21. However, as with the revised Celtics trades, this is simply too light on star power. However good Robinson and Quickley are, they don't offer the necessary upside.

Likely Destinations (7)

Miami - Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, 2 FRP. I don't know where to fit this trade in, I think it's the weakest one in this section, but I think there still might be some way to make it work. Someone can clue me into the reasons for Herro's diminished trade value; I'm not his biggest fan and I think the suggestion of him being a stumbling block to a star trade was ridiculous. However, he is still a talented player. A per36 of 18/6/4 on decent percentages at age 21 isn't bad; I don't think he's likely to be a superstar, but I could see him making a couple of All-Star teams. Achiuwa is an interesting Bam prototype on D, offensively he's limited but he could be a really good secondary prospect. The issue with the Heat is their FRP's. They don't own one in 2021, they have a pick swap with the Rockets in 2022, and OKC owns their lotto protected FRP from 2023-2025. I don't even know what they could offer; I think taking their 2022 pick swap requires OKC to forego the protections on the 2023 pick and take it in 2024 instead, which would leave us with the 2026 FRP. Otherwise, we'd need to simply take the next 2 available FRP's, likely meaning 2025 and 2027. Or I could be wrong. Regardless, I think we find better packages from the other teams.

New Orleans - Jaxson Hayes, Kira Lewis Jr., Eric Bledsoe, #10, best of LAL or NOP 2022 FRP, pick swap 2023. Pelicans got tons of picks to deal from, and honestly that's the big catch here. Once again, these picks could help us find our way into the top 4 of the draft and get a can't-miss prospect. Otherwise, the future one's likely end up in the teens. Eric Bledsoe is filler to make the trade work, and probably wouldn't fit in NO anymore. We could probably trade him however; he only has 2 years left at a decent price, I think he could fetch a FRP at least. Kira Lewis was a lotto pick last year, super quick guard who likely needs to slow down but can shoot and get into the paint (whether he can finish is another question). Hayes I'm not too high on, I think he's soft for a center but he is big and athletic, perhaps he turns out to be a high level rim protector. Who knows.

Minnesota - Anthony Edwards, Malik Beasley, 2023 FRP, 2025 FRP. Timberwolves need to start winning soon, or else they might need to start entertaining KAT trade proposals. I honestly think this would be a terrible trade for the Wolves; as good as Brad is, this team is likely doomed to failure. But, they have a history of poor decision making and maybe we can take advantage. Malik Beasley is salary filler and a decent bench scorer, and the FRP's would likely be really good since I expect Minny to fail. Edwards was the recent 1st overall selection in an uncertain draft, with many questioning his desire to improve. Still, he's got great upside as a scorer and potentially as a defender if he works hard on that end. He's crazy athletic, strong as hell, and shows the potential to be a high end 3 level scorer. I'm not buying it for the same reason I didn't buy in pre-draft, but maybe the team has more intel.

Philly - Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed, #28, 2023 FRP. Ben Simmons' trade value has never been lower, but he is still an elite defender and a good passer. I'll be honest, I don't want to contend with him on this team, it might be possible to build a contender but it would be exceedingly difficult. However, he does still carry value and could be traded to another team down the line as a market re-develops for him. I added Maxey and Reed as I was super high on them last year. The 2023 FRP was added on as the Sixers have to be desperate to save face and challenge for a title this year, though I suspect they'd rather just chase a point guard like Kyle Lowry instead.

Atlanta - Onyeka Okongwu, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Huerter, #20, 2023 FRP. Hawks swap out 2 good SG's for an elite one alongside Trae. Huerter and Bogdanovic should both get 6MOY consideration at some point in their careers, and if Bogey's timeline doesn't match up he should have a strong market. The picks are nice, but the draw is Okongwu, who went 6th last year and who was considered prior to the draft to be better than Wiseman by quite a few.

Denver - Michael Porter Jr., Bol Bol, Will Barton, #26, FRP 2 years after transfer to Magic (which itself transfer 2 years after the Nuggets send their pick to the Thunder). The picks are gonna be after thoughts; 26th is whatever though it might help us trade up, and the second FRP is likely to be 2027. Will Barton is in for salary purposes, and he would need to accept his PO and agree to the trade, probably on the condition we send him to a contender. MPJ is the big draw, he's already a 3 level scorer and has great potential. He's not a good defender or passer, but he's elite at the most important (and rarest) skill. The problem is, he's got major injury concerns running through his family, and has already had back issues at 6'9. It's risky, but he could have the highest potential of any potential Brad Beal return.

Golden State - James Wiseman, Andrew Wiggins, #7, #14. I think a future FRP, lotto protected could (and should) be added to this as well. James Wiseman just went 2nd overall, and has great potential. However, there's apparently major concerns about whether he realizes any of it. There was skepticism prior to the draft about how he fit in today's league, and he did not have a good rookie year at all. Not to mention the GSW stars are desperately pushing for veteran upgrades. We may be able to get him at his lowest possible value. Wiggins is way overpaid, but he's still a reasonable player and should be moveable as his contract winds down. The picks are good and we may be able to package them for one of the top 4 this year.

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.