One NBA insider thinks the Philadelphia 76ers are the betting favorites to acquire Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards.
Bill Simmons of The Ringer pegged the Sixers as the favorites to land Beal in a potential trade during an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket in Philadelphia.
“My odds on favorite is Philadelphia and I don’t even think it’s close. Beal and [Joel] Embiid, they’re friends. Embiid was trying to get him two years ago, which I kept telling people on this podcast… Harden is going to leave,” Simmons said.
“If you’re Philly and you are going to lose Harden, and now I have this shooter, that’s probably a better fit with Embiid anyway,” Simmons explained. “And I have Tobias Harris on an expiring contract, couple future draft picks I could probably throw that I could probably find in my pocket somewhere.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Beal signed a five-year, $251 million maximum contract with the Wizards in July 2022. The deal has a no-trade clause, so Beal can only be traded if he agrees to a trade. The three-time All-Star averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists this season while shooting 50.6% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 84.2% from the free-throw line.
Sixers star James Harden has a player option for next season. The former MVP can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2023-24 player option and multiple reports have stated that Harden will reunite with the Houston Rockets this summer.
If that happens, the Sixers need to get Joel Embiid another running mate and Beal fits that bill. Beal, a St. Louis native, has career averages of 22.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Sixers send Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, Furkan Korkmaz, Danuel House Jr. and a 2029 first-round pick to the Wizards for Beal and Kyle Kuzma.
“With a new front office in Washington, we could finally see a Beal trade after 11 years with the franchise,” Swartz wrote. “This deal only goes down if James Harden leaves the 76ers in free agency, opening up the need for another All-Star guard to join the backcourt. Beal and Kuzma restock the Sixers with talent around Joel Embiid, keeping them in the title hunt.
“Maxey is the perfect replacement for Beal, as he’s seven years younger and coming off a career-high 20.3 points per game. One of the fastest players in the game, Maxey has also become an elite three-point shooter (43.4 percent) as well. Washington stays competitive with Maxey, Harris and others while also adding a future unprotected first-round pick from the Sixers.”
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