Washington Wizards: How trading Bradley Beal to the Sixers would work

The verdict

If the Philadelphia 76ers want Bradley Beal then they’ll have to depart with one of Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons. The alternatives are not only difficult to organize but are underwhelming returns for one of the league’s most coveted trade targets.

The Wizards can make the playoffs with Beal and should only move him if they are blown away by a team’s offer. Stockpiling first-round picks get the fans excited for the future but when the chances of them landing in the lottery are basically nonexistent their value is relatively low.

Tobias Harris is a good NBA player on a bad contract. If the Sixers want to move him they’ll likely have to give up picks to do so. Peddling him as the centerpiece in a Bradley Beal deal is an insulting gesture.

The Sixers can easily get Bradley Beal if they offer the Wizards a real return for an All-NBA caliber player. If they want to hold on to their only valuable assets then the Wizards will hold on to theirs.

There is an easy way for the Sixers to get Bradley Beal and there is a hard way. The Wizards are in no rush to move Beal and chances are the Sixers will soon turn their attention to Zach LaVine.