On June 14th, Shams Charania reported that the Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal will work together to find a trade for the All-Star shooting guard. This mutual agreement had the internet in a frenzy, as we even had some words for it, saying the Sacramento Kings should not pursue Beal.
On June 15th, one day after the news of Beal being on the market, Shams Charania reported that the Sacramento Kings are involved in trade talks for Bradley Beal.
Another team that’s had Bradley Beal trade talks with the Wizards: The Kings, sources tell me and @sam_amick. It’s believed Beal would consider Sacramento given his no-trade clause, but right now there does not appear a clear pathway for the two sides.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2023
Bradley Beal is a three-time All-Star and a very skilled guard. While only playing 90 games the past two seasons combined, Beal’s stats have dropped, and he is not the same 30-point-per-game scorer as he once was. Last season, through 50 games, Beal averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 0.9 steals per game with 50/36/84 shooting splits.
While the Washington Wizards might have multiple possible suitors that want Beal, his no-trade clause allows him to choose where he goes. Shams Charania reported that it is believed Beal could waive his no-trade clause to come to Sacramento. The downside of his no-trade clause is that it would stay on his contract even if he does get dealt, making it very difficult for his next team to trade him away if they desire.
Bradley Beal is an elite talent of offense, but the biggest downside to trading for a star like Beal is his contract, and Beal might have the worst contract of them all. Bradley Beal is one year into his 5-year / $251 million deal. His $43 million made in 2022-23 put him up there as the fourth highest-paid NBA player, behind only Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant. While Beal is a fantastic player, does he belong up there with those names?
Amidst these reports of the Sacramento Kings in trade talks for Bradley Beal, let’s look at our mock deal of what would get it done and our opinion on it: