Trade Scenario No. 2 – Washington Wizards
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards Receive: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F Kyle Kuzma, G Dennis Schroder, LAL 2022 1st Round Pick, LAL 2027 1st Round Pick (Lottery-Protected)
If the Los Angeles Lakers were to attempt and pull off a blockbuster NBA trade for Bradley Beal, it would likely have to be at least a three-team trade because of the number of players being traded and the financial situations of both the Washington Wizards and the Lakers.
Washington could only take two of the three players in this trade due to financial restrictions unless they traded away Jerome Robinson, Moritz Wagner, Troy Brown Jr. or a couple of their lesser contracts like Raul Neto, Isaac Bonga and Anzejs Pasecniks.
Basically, if the Wizards wanted KCP, Kuzma and Schoder to remain on their roster, they would have to create some cap space in order to keep them, otherwise, a third team would have to be involved in the trade and they would likely acquire Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Not only was Bradley Beal snubbed from the All-Star game last year, but he was also snubbed from making an All-NBA team after a fantastic season. Although the Wizards were not a great team last year, Beal averaged 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists and shot 45.5% from the floor and 35.3% from three-point range.
He is exactly the kind of player that would fit in perfectly next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis not just because of his pure scoring abilities, but because of his willingness to win. If Bradley Beal is to be traded to Los Angeles, it would be because he requested a trade and the only reason he will do that is because of him getting tired of losing.
If the Wizards continue to lose games and are near the bottom of the standings come the NBA trade deadline, Beal could very much ask to be traded, especially if he does not see Russell Westbrook being able to help him win games moving forward. Beal has given Washington everything he has had over the years and in return, they have not surrounded him with players that have the capability to win.
Going to Los Angeles ensures that Beal will win games now and as a result, would change the NBA for years to come. While the Lakers depth would take a hit, they would have a “Big 3” of LeBron, AD and Beal with Montrezl Harrell, Marc Gasol and Alex Caruso being three impact players around them.
Acquiring Bradley Beal and the three-years, $100.5M left on his contract gives the Lakers three superstar players for at least the next three seasons.
