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Why the Miami Heat should pursue a trade for Bradley Beal

By Sam DiGiovanni

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards defends Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards defends Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half at Capital One Arena on March 08, 2020 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. The Washington Wizards are in need of a rebuild

Washington wants to win now. That’s how they’ve operated in the John Wall/Bradley Beal era. The plans to stay competitive and bring Wall back into the mix were changed only when the Wizards had the chance to acquire Russell Westbrook, trading Wall and a future first-round pick to get him.

The 2020-21 season couldn’t be going worse for the Wizards. As they navigate an influx of COVID-19 cases, on-court issues are the least of their concerns at the moment. But there are still plenty of them. Westbrook is 1-6 as a Wizard and is now dealing with a quad injury that could sideline him for weeks. The team is 3-8 overall and didn’t look like a playoff team when Westbrook was healthy.

The Wizards are more in need of rebuilding than they would like to admit. Trading Beal, who would net a handsome collection of assets, is the first step in doing so. A trade package that would get Beal to Miami would likely include the following:

  • Kelly Olynyk and Andre Iguodala, whose contracts make the trade financially viable
  • Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, Kendrick Nunn and KZ Okpala as the assets of (varying) value

Washington may be interested in Duncan Robinson, but at almost 27 years of age, he doesn’t fit on a team looking to build from the ground up. Miami is devoid of any valuable draft picks, so perhaps a third team would need to get involved.

Miami’s path to title contention got tougher when Durant became healthy and is now even difficult now that Durant and Irving are about to be joined by James Harden. Acquiring Beal to play alongside Butler and Adebayo would increase the Heat’s chances of returning to the Finals. It’s time for the Miami Heat to construct a new Big 3.

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