The Los Angeles Clippers sent shock waves through the NBA community early Saturday morning, as they acquired Paul George in a blockbuster trade before signing Kawhi Leonard to a max, four-year deal.
In the aftermath it was revealed the Clippers inquired about Bradley Beal in hopes of luring Leonard before turning their attention to George, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Before free agency started, the Clippers knew they needed a second star to lure Leonard but had no idea whom he wanted. The Clippers inquired on deals for Washington’s Bradley Beal and New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday, but those guards weren’t available in trades. Eventually, Leonard made his intentions known to the Clippers: Paul George.
As Wojnarowski mentioned, the Clippers’ inquiry was before free agency started. Leonard had informed the Clippers he preferred to pair with George.
While no indication on what the offer package was, it’s safe to assume the haul would not have been as great as the Clippers are sending Oklahoma City for George — five first-round picks, including four unprotected, along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari.
The Wizards have reported told Bradley Beal they had no intentions on trading him. The team is in the midst of a rebuild that includes Beal. This summer, the Wizards have lost several key players in free agency while not committing to more than a two years with any incoming replacements.
Beal is coming off a career-year in which he averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, 5.0 rebounds while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. Beal also proved his durability playing in all 82 games for the second straight season and logging in an NBA-most 36.9 minutes per game in 2018-19.
With two years remaining on his current deal Beal’s stock is its highest since he was drafted by the Wizards in 2012. As Washington struggles in the absence of John Wall, teams will be enticed to inquire on his services, hoping they provide a price that intrigues the Wizards. With that said, no one has been able to pry away the 26-year old.
The Clippers join the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans as teams that have reportedly been unsuccessful this summer in attempting to trade for Beal.
