Dallas Mavericks: 5 moves to make in hopes of playoff contention
By Jordan Daly
4. Trade for Bradley Beal
Earlier in the year, it was reported that the Washington Wizards wouldn’t keep anyone off the table in potential trade talks, including All-Stars John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Beal, a 25-year-old shooting guard, has the potential to dramatically improve the Mavericks’ offense. Selected as an All-Star last season, Beal has the ability to drop a large number of points every single night. In every aspect, he is having the best season of his career, averaging 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game. With scoring being one of the things the Mavericks struggle with, Beal would really make a big impact instantly.
If Dallas can find a way to make a deal with Washington to acquire Beal, it would instantly rise in the Western Conference standings.
A trade that could work is sending Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith Jr, Jalen Brunson and a future first round pick to the Wizards in return for Bradley Beal.
With Wesley Matthews’ contract ending after this season, and DSJ and Brunson both on rookie contracts, it gives Washington the option to completely rebuild at the end of the season, as they would dump Beal’s $25.4 million contract on to Dallas. The soonest the Mavs could offer a first round draft pick would be 2021.
While Dallas would be giving up a lot of players, it would gain the offensive threat of Beal for at least three years, which would hopefully push them towards playoff contention for years to come.