Washington Wizards Receive: G Eric Bledsoe, F Josh Hart, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 7 – POR), 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap – POR), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2026 First-Round Pick (POR), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – POR)

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Bradley Beal, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 10 – WAS)

Any suggestion that a team trades its lone star player to launch a rebuild generally starts with a package like this one. For the Washington Wizards, this may be particularly appealing

This trade finds them gaining control of the Portland Trail Blazers’ draft through to 2027. On a related note, Damian Lillard is 31. The acquisition of Bradley Beal does not assure that this team will remain competitive through to 2027.

Unfortunately, the Blazers can’t trade their 2022 pick to the Wizards without receiving theirs back. The Blazers have already moved their 2023 first-round pick, and the Stepien rule disallows them from going back-to-back summers without a first-round selection.

The Wizards might bite anyway. This deal isn’t really about moving up three spots in the draft for them. That’s a bonus. It’s primarily about gaining control of the Blazers’ draft into the distant future.

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On the other hand, the Wizards may prefer to get something a little more concrete in return.