Washington Wizards’ star shooting guard Bradley Beal is a possible impending free agent, provided he declines his player option for this upcoming season. It has been reported that he is going to opt-out, but it seemed like news to him. I think he opts out either way. There have been trade rumors involving swirling for him for the last few years, and now he might finally be gone. I would like to see him stay in Washington with the Wizards, but I just don’t feel like that is going to happen at this point. Here is a look at three possible destinations if he leaves the nation’s capital.
Three Landing Spots For Bradley Beal
The star shooting guard should have a lot of suitors if he ends up hitting the open market. Beal’s scoring dropped off this season but he did average a career-high 6.6 assists per game. To me, there are three teams that stand above the rest. It will probably have to be a sign-and-trade so cap space, as well as trade assets, are key.
Miami Heat
Rumors of the Heat’s interest in Bradley Beal is well documented. Every offseason and trade deadline the last few years you have heard said rumors. Now it could finally come to fruition. The Heat are currently given the third-best odds to land the three-time all-star, but I personally think it might be the most likely. Beal would fit perfectly and would be able to make big-time contributions immediately. He also would not have to be one of the leaders on the team. Adding him to their already stellar line-up would be incredible.
The Heat would almost certainly have to give up NBA Sixth Man Of The Year Tyler Herro in any sign-and-trade scenario for a star player, whether that player is Beal or not. Herro is arguably one of the most attractive potential young trade pieces out there right now. Sharpshooter Duncan Robinson would also likely have to go a year after getting a big contract from the team. He fell out of their rotation during their Eastern Conference Finals run. Robinson is an attractive trade piece despite the large contract and poor defense simply because of how much of an elite shooter he is. Kyle Lowry could also be a name to watch as a possible trade chip. He was hurt a lot this past season, but even when he was healthy and playing he disappointed after getting a big new contract last summer.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers seem to really be trying to avoid having to go into a full-on rebuild, as well as trying to keep superstar point guard and franchise cornerstone Damian Lillard on board. They traded a very good player in CJ McCollum to the Pelicans at the deadline and now are in need of a new shooting guard to put in their backcourt alongside Dame. Portland has already started making moves by acquiring Jerami Grant from the Pistons on Wednesday. They didn’t have to give up too much for him either. The Blazers have player assets as well as the number seven overall pick in Thursday’s draft. Beal would be a great fit alongside Dame out west and, along with Grant, would vastly improve this team immediately.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been given the best odds to land Bradley Beal. Fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals, the team could be looking to make an upgrade to their team. They certainly have plenty of assets that they could give up in order to get a deal done. The question though is if Boston’s front office wants to disrupt the roster. The chemistry with the current team is already there. They have a very good amount of depth and that is a big part of what made them so dangerous and helped get the team to the Finals for the first time in over a decade. Beal would certainly make their starting lineup better, but would he make the team better as a whole? That is the other question.
Others
If you’re wondering where the Lakers are, it’s because Beal to LA is just not going to happen. Plain and simple. They don’t have any draft picks. They don’t have any attractive player assets either whose names aren’t LeBron James or Anthony Davis and those two obviously aren’t going to be traded. The 76ers have been mentioned, and the Nets, Hawks, and Knicks could be players too. And of course, returning to the Wizards is always certainly a possibility.
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