The Washington Wizards have narrowed its potential trade partners for Bradley Beal down to the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns, two contenders looking to boost their rosters towards another push to the NBA Finals.
The Wizards landed in these two teams thanks to Beal’s rare no-trade clause. It’s so rare that Beal is the only current NBA player with the provision. In fact, only Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, David Robinson, and Dwyane Wade have received a no-trade clause in NBA history.
All are bonafide Hall of Famers, and all but Anthony have driven the teams to NBA championships. Beal is not yet a bonafide Hall of Famer, and he hasn’t come close to being the main guy to lead his team to a Conference Finals, let alone an NBA championship.
Yet, last summer, then-Wizards president and general manager Tommy Sheppard issued a no-trade clause to Beal when he signed a five-year, $251 million super-max extension. Now, that no-trade clause has handicapped the Wizards’ efforts to move Beal in a trade to kickstart the team’s rebuild.
Now, the Wizards have embarked on a new era following the firing of Sheppard in April. Washington has built a power-team front office with president Michael Winger, GM Will Dawkins, and senior VP of player personnel Travis Schlenk.
Beal has agreed to work with the Wizards on a trade. The no-trade clause has shifted most of the leverage to the player, as Beal has the power to dictate, veto, or approve the trade package he gets moved for. That power has left the Wizards facing less-than-ideal returns from the Heat and Suns.
No Tyler Herro would be a letdown
Miami and Bradley Beal have gotten linked for years. It’s the team he has eyed, according to former Wizards’ beat writer Fred Katz. When the Heat surfaced to the front of the line, the thought process naturally was that 23-year-old guard Tyler Herro would be the centerpiece of Miami’s offer to the Wizards. However, that does not seem to be the case.
Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald was the first to report that Miami is trying to land Beal without including Herro in the trade. The Heat’s offer doesn’t include 20-year-old near seven-footer Nikola Jovic.
According to The Athletic, Miami’s offer centers around 37-year-old six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry, multiple first-round picks, and either Victor Oladipo or Duncan Robinson.
DeAndre Ayton or not, the Suns deal has no firepower
The Suns’ offer may not be much better.Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported the Suns may not have to include 2018 No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton in the trade. Instead, Chris Paul and Landry Shamet appear most likely pieces the Suns part with.
In Miami, Beal would join stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo as well as Herro. The Heat would be in tremendous shape to repeat as Eastern Conference champions with that Big Four.
Meanwhile, it’s understandable why Phoenix would like to hold on to Ayton. Beal has four years, $207 million remaining on his contract. He’d join two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Suns would have two of the best three-shooting guards in the league.
But a load of contracts between Beal, Durant, and Booker leaves the Suns very top-heavy and with no depth. The combined $130.3M in salaries for next season between the three leaves no room, even to build a quality depth. Ayton gives the Suns a formidable Big Four that could carry the team over the hump.
Adding Ayton may not be much better. The Athletic’s report says the Suns could include Ayton in the deal. The 7-foot center has been disappointing recently, falling out of favor with the Suns’ brass. Even so, in the best-case scenario, Wizards fans will be disappointed with the proposed returns.
Wizards hands are tied
The Wizards’ front office hands are tied thanks to the previous regime’s gaffe in providing a no-trade clause. Beal becomes the third piece for either Miami or Phoenix, competing for an NBA championship. Meanwhile, the Wizards will receive neither a true young centerpiece with a high ceiling nor a haul of first-round draft picks to build upon.
The Wizards must figure out a way to salvage some leverage before getting fleeced in the Bradley Beal sweepstakes. The price to hit the reset button for Washington may be nothing concrete to build from. In essence, the Wizards’ new front office may have to start from ground zero.
Winger plans to give owner Ted Leonsis a five-year plan to steer the Wizards in the right direction. The aftermath of moving Beal may force more patience from Washington’s faithful.
