The Washington Wizards have struggled to achieve much success in the win column to start the 2020-21 NBA season. As a result, the focus surrounding the team from outsiders has been on the potential trade availability of star shooting guard Bradley Beal.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, a Western Conference executive believes Bradley Beal would have to create pressure in order to get traded and that he doesn’t believe it will happen ‘until after the season.’
“I think it would have to be pressure from him and his agent to do so, and it sounds to me like that won’t happen until after the season, if at all,” a Western Conference executive said.
It seems highly unlikely for the Wizards to be able to turn things around in the near future. Russell Westbrook seems to be hitting a stride as of late after getting healthier. That may not be enough when considering how poor Washington’s defense remains.
With Bradley Beal averaging an impressive 34.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists so far this season, his trade value is as high as it has ever been. No player is scoring more points per game than him and he has managed maintain effective efficiency while doing so.
At some point, the Wizards may need to consider a trade involving Bradley Beal before he becomes too disgruntled with the organization. His body language during games has started to worsen and is getting noticed by many on social media. Holding too much optimism with Russell Westbrook’s resurgence should be avoided, too.
Another Western Conference executive told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps how the chance of Beal being move before the NBA trade deadline is ‘zero’ and that Washington has been ‘adamant they’re not moving him.’
If the situation for the Washington Wizards worsens and they’re prompted to shift course with Bradley Beal, there will be no shortage of suitors. A few teams that stand out as logical trade suitors include the Celtics, 76ers, Heat, Nuggets, Pelicans, Warriors, and Mavericks.
For what it’s worth, BetOnline has the Pelicans (+250), Nuggets (+300), Warriors (+350), Mavericks (+400), Hawks (+600), Trail Blazers (+900), Heat (+1000), 76ers (+1200), Knicks (+1400), Celtics (+1600), Clippers (+2500), Lakers (+3300), and Bucks (+4000) on their futures odds.
There’s still plenty that needs to be played out before Bradley Beal comes to the Washington Wizards to request a trade. Should the team really wait until that happens to risk damage to his trade value?
