Predicting the next NBA star to request a trade

Bradley Beal

The most obvious candidate, and simultaneously the one name most would waive off of this list, is Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. Why?

While the Wizards have spent the better half of Beal’s career in the playoffs, this year has been a trying one for almost all parties involved in Washington.

But excluding this season, due to the hiatus and uncertainty of its outcome, Washington has been to the postseason in four of his seven years in the league. They’ve made it as far as far as the second round on three occasions, but are always outplayed by their opposing teams.

The Wizards hit a sort of plateau, which oftentimes is enough for a player to ask out period. But Beal held hope in the potential of this roster, mostly due to his backcourt partner, John Wall.

Wall is a top-10 point guard but suffered a torn Achilles injury that’s kept him off of the floor since December of 2018. Beal did his best to keep the Wizards afloat the last year and a half, but both seasons have resulted in missed playoff appearances.

An Achilles injury is historically one of the hardest to recover from, and there are suspicions about Wall’s form and how productive he’ll be upon his return next season.

To make matters worse for Washington, Beal has been the subject of trade rumors as early as last fall, before he ultimately agreed on an extension with the Wizards in October.

And while the star guard has been very vocal about wanting to finish his career with the Wizards, if things in Washington continue on their current trajectory, one can’t help but wonder if he’d ultimately ask out of his current situation.