NBA Rumors: Players most likely to be traded this offseason

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors is praised by Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards after a career high 44 points following an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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Bradley Beal

This is the elephant in the room the rest of the league is watching. Bradley Beal has proclaimed his loyalty to the Washington Wizards for as long as people will listen and that may hold true. However, as the losses continue to pile up and the Wizards get further and further away from real contention the day for a deal may finally dawn.

Next year is the last season that Beal is fully under Washington control. He has a player option for the following season but should the Wizards start next season the same way they did this one the organization may have to decide to cut their losses and start the rebuild.

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Beal is truly great and would be a welcome addition to any team. There is a collection of young talent in Washington that should grow over time to form a coherent roster. Scott Brooks should not be the coach for much longer.

All of this may be too little too late. As long as Russell Westbrook’s bloated salary and inefficient game gums up the system in DC making meaningful additions to the roster will be nearly impossible unless the team hits the draft lottery. Even then Beal is going to be 28 years old before the draft and not on the timeline of his teammates. He would net a haul for the Wizards akin to what the New Orleans Pelicans got for Anthony Davis. They should take the call.

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