Hoops Habit
Fansided

Wizards: 5 Teams that should trade for Bradley Beal this summer

By Thomas J. Brown

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 13: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on December 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 13: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Ball Arena on December 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Scenario #2: Bradley Beal to the Raptors

Although Scottie Barnes was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 4th pick in the 2021 NBA draft, he was not expected to emerge as the 2022 Rookie of The Year. That award was expected to land in the hands of Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons or Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, Barnes exceeded all expectations and was acknowledged as having the best overall season of any player in his draft class.

In 2023, Barnes duplicated his scoring output from the previous campaign, once again averaging 15.3 points per game. However, he did not take the giant leap forward that many Raptors fans anticipated. With that in mind, Toronto may be looking to pair Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet with a third player who can carry them back to the playoffs sooner rather than later. A trade to acquire Bradley Beal would make sense but unfortunately, Toronto would have to part ways with Barnes in order to pull it off.

The Washington Wizards would surely request a large haul from Toronto in order to part ways with Beal and the team up North has the assets to pull off the maneuver. Gary Trent Jr. is a highly respected backcourt player who can score in bunches and knock down 3-pointers with the best of them. O.G. Anunoby is a great perimeter defender and he’s only 25 years old. If Toronto offered these two along with Barnes, not only would the salary trade-off be close to even, but Washington would be receiving three players who could help them win now and are also young enough to be a part of their plans for the future.

Toronto, on the other hand, would almost certainly be a playoff team with the addition of Beal. The combination of VanVleet and Beal in the backcourt would give the Raptors one of the best guard duos in the league. Siakam has proven to be a reliable frontcourt scorer and the three of them together would form a formidable Big Three capable of willing the team back to the postseason.

Home/Washington Wizards