Washington Wizards Receive: F/C Al Horford, F Grant Williams, 2023 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2025 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2027 FIrst-Round Pick (BOS)
Boston Celtics Receive: G Bradley Beal
In this package, the Washington Wizards pass on Robert Williams III in exchange for more draft capital. Al Horford is involved to match salaries. The Wizards would likely look to move him in a separate package. Do not mistake Grant Williams for a throw-in.
The 23-year-old has quietly established himself as a valuable rotation player in the NBA. He’s connecting on 42% of his 3.3 three-pointers per game, making him one of the premier stretch-4s in the league today. As a solid, versatile defender, he’s a prototypical modern power forward.
Still, the Wizards are mostly in this deal for the draft capital. With lottery luck, they could leverage this deal into a quick rebuild.
With the talent they currently have on their roster, they’d be unlikely to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, but one of several elite prospects in the 2023 draft could quickly change their fortunes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Will Robert Williams III Be Ready To Impact NBA Playoffs?
Parting with a star player is never easy, but it’s fair to wonder whether it might be beneficial for the Washington Wizards. They’ve struggled to field a real contender during Beal’s tenure. It may be time to accept that the marriage between player and team is simply not working.
If either the front office or Beal does reach that conclusion, look for the Boston Celtics to at least try to pry the star guard away from the nation’s capital.
