Does this trade make sense for the Washington Wizards?
If the writing is on the wall that Bradley Beal will want to move on from the Washington Wizards, it would be wise for them to make the most of his trade value before he outright asks out. Of course, that’s unless they are able to make a difference making move or two with him and Russell Westbrook still members of the roster, then that changes the situation.
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It’s unlikely that Beal will agree to a contract extension with the Wizards this offseason given the financial incentive he has to wait. However, waiting to test NBA free agency and choosing to depart would cost him over $60 million. So, it appears as though the best pathway for Beal to go elsewhere is to wait, sign a major deal, and then force his way out via trade request.
Do the Wizards really want to risk having to wait for that to play out? The team has done a miserable job of surrounding their stars with shooting and have a genuinely horrendous defense. That’s a recipe to force stars to carry the load without having help to do much more than have to scratch and claw just to barely make the playoffs…it may be time to rebuild and getting a jump on it could be wise.
Buddy Hield is not Bradley Beal, by any means. He would at least provide Russell Westbrook with a knockdown off-the-ball threat to rely on throughout games. He is under contract for a year longer than Beal and will be considerably more affordable than Beal when he receives his next extension.
While Marvin Bagley III certainly has not lived up to expectations, the Wizards could see if a change of scenery was necessary for him to do so. Playing him at the five spot would enable him to be a play finishes on rim rolls while also attacking mismatches after switching. There are obvious limitations to his ability to be an impactful defender, but it’s worth the attempt.
