Poll: To Beal, or not to Beal?

[Jvalin]

Would it be worth it to gut the team in order to sign Beal via free agency? Here's what we'd need to do:

- Let Smart, Timelord and JRich walk.
- Decline our team options for Grant and Edwards and let them walk. 
- Stash our 2022 first-round pick or trade it.
- Dump one of Romeo/Pritchard/Nesmith for future pick(s) + cap relief.
- Dump Horford's partially-guaranteed expiring contract for cap relief. We'd probably have to sacrifice a pick/prospect in the process. Alternatively, we could also waive him and stretch his guaranteed $14,500,000 salary over 3 years. In this case, we'd have to sacrifice Romeo, plus one of Pritchard/Nesmith as well.

And here are the actual numbers:

Payroll in 2022/23
1. Tatum $30,351,780
2. Brown $26,669,643
3. Romeo $5,634,257   
4. Nesmith $3,804,360
5. Pritchard $2,239,200   
6. rookie minimum $953,012
7. rookie minimum $953,012
8. rookie minimum $953,012
9. rookie minimum $953,012
10. rookie minimum $953,012
11. rookie minimum $953,012
12. rookie minimum $953,012

dead salary
Jackson $92,857

total: $75,463,181

The cap is projected at $115,787,000, hence we'd have $40,323,819 in cap space.

Beal's max will start at $40,525,450 (=35% of the cap). In the above scenario, we'd be $201,631 short of Beal's max. It seems like we'd still have to dump one of Romeo/Pritchard/Nesmith. Personally speaking, I'd sacrifice Romeo. Mind you, this is based on current cap projections. It's possible that we'd be able to create enough cap space without having to sacrifice Romeo.


To Beal, or not to Beal, that is the question.

[Alec14]

That scenario is awful. Unless Beal gives a massive discount, no way. The team would be terrible.

[Birdman]

Too much to give up.. 2 great players( Tatum& Beal) & a very good player (Brown).. then a lot of d-leaguers or has been to fill the roster, no thanks…be lucky to make playoffs

[BitterJim]

There's also the possibility of acquiring Beal through a sign and trade. The issue is that we would need ~$34 million in outgoing salary that Washington is willing to take on, and it would hard cap us. Horford (fully guaranteed because otherwise it doesn't help us) plus another ~$8 million in the form of Grant and either Romeo or Nesmith would do it. Maybe throw in a pick as well (or even our first next year, signed and then traded as part of this deal 30 days later).

With the hard cap we couldn't keep Smart, Timelord, and Richardson, but we could at least keep 1 or 2 of them.

[Yuckabuck33]

I will be so glad when the Beal drama is over. I don't want him. Getting him to please JT is the dumbest reason to acquire a player. If Brad or any Celtic front office peep made a trade so a current player can have a binkie, I hope the ghost of Red Auerbach rises to torment them nightly. And trading Jaylen for Beal is a firing offense.

[Jvalin]

There's also the possibility of acquiring Beal through a sign and trade. The issue is that we would need ~$34 million in outgoing salary that Washington is willing to take on, and it would hard cap us. Horford (fully guaranteed because otherwise it doesn't help us) plus another ~$8 million in the form of Grant and either Romeo or Nesmith would do it. Maybe throw in a pick as well (or even our first next year, signed and then traded as part of this deal 30 days later).

With the hard cap we couldn't keep Smart, Timelord, and Richardson, but we could at least keep 1 or 2 of them.

This could work! Assuming we trade Horford + Romeo + BOS 2022 first + future pick(s) for Beal, we'd possibly have enough wiggle room to keep both Smart and Timelord.

1. Beal $40,525,450
2. Tatum $30,351,780
3. Brown $26,669,643
4. Nesmith $3,804,360
5. Pritchard $2,239,200   
6. Smart $17,000,000 (just an estimation)
7. Timelord $11,000,000 (just an estimation)
8. vet min $1,719,247
9. vet min $1,719,247
10. vet min $1,719,247
11. vet min $1,719,247
12. vet min $1,719,247
13. vet min $1,719,247
14. vet min $1,719,247
15. vet min $1,719,247

dead salary
Jackson $92,857

total: $145,437,266

Projected Luxury Tax Apron: $147,389,000

Horford ($26,500,000) + Romeo ($5,634,257) + let's say #16 once again ($3,311,040) would be more than enough salary to net us Beal! Like you said, we'd have to wait 30 days till after we sign our rookie. Regarding Horford, I believe whenever a player gets traded his salary becomes fully guaranteed, but I'm too lazy to look it up right now. If so, the Wiz would have to keep him unless they'd be willing to eat his entire salary.

Another idea would be to go after Jaren Jackson Jr. He's nowhere near as good as Beal, but he fits the time window of the Jays. Unfortunately, he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee last season. Is it possible that the Grizzlies would have second thoughts about offering him a max extension? I guess it depends on how well he plays next season. Collin Sexton might be a possible target as well. Would the Cavs match a max offer? Hard to say. Personally speaking, I'd pass on Sexton. I'm not a fan of his game.

JJJ's and Sexton's max would start at $28,946,750 (=25% of the cap). In comparison, Beal's max will start at $40,525,450 (35% of the cap).

[rogueandpoet]

Love Beal but he is not what the "team" needs. We are going into the season with an oft injured center and a 35 year old big and nothing behind them. Tristan gone, even cheap Moses Brown gone. Grant can't play the "5" and he can barely handle the "4". I'm all for making cap space for the future but not to bring in a position we already have covered. Beal is a sweet offensive player but Brown is the better defender and scores 24 plus while being the most efficient scorer on the team.

[Celtics2021]

There's also the possibility of acquiring Beal through a sign and trade. The issue is that we would need ~$34 million in outgoing salary that Washington is willing to take on, and it would hard cap us. Horford (fully guaranteed because otherwise it doesn't help us) plus another ~$8 million in the form of Grant and either Romeo or Nesmith would do it. Maybe throw in a pick as well (or even our first next year, signed and then traded as part of this deal 30 days later).

With the hard cap we couldn't keep Smart, Timelord, and Richardson, but we could at least keep 1 or 2 of them.

This could work! Assuming we trade Horford + Romeo + BOS 2022 first + future pick(s) for Beal, we'd possibly have enough wiggle room to keep both Smart and Timelord.

1. Beal $40,525,450
2. Tatum $30,351,780
3. Brown $26,669,643
4. Nesmith $3,804,360
5. Pritchard $2,239,200   
6. Smart $17,000,000 (just an estimation)
7. Timelord $11,000,000 (just an estimation)
8. vet min $1,719,247
9. vet min $1,719,247
10. vet min $1,719,247
11. vet min $1,719,247
12. vet min $1,719,247
13. vet min $1,719,247
14. vet min $1,719,247
15. vet min $1,719,247

dead salary
Jackson $92,857

total: $145,437,266

Projected Luxury Tax Apron: $147,389,000

Horford ($26,500,000) + Romeo ($5,634,257) + let's say #16 once again ($3,311,040) would be more than enough salary to net us Beal! Like you said, we'd have to wait 30 days till after we sign our rookie. Regarding Horford, I believe whenever a player gets traded his salary becomes fully guaranteed, but I'm too lazy to look it up right now. If so, the Wiz would have to keep him unless they'd be willing to eat his entire salary.

Another idea would be to go after Jaren Jackson Jr. He's nowhere near as good as Beal, but he fits the time window of the Jays. Unfortunately, he suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee last season. Is it possible that the Grizzlies would have second thoughts about offering him a max extension? I guess it depends on how well he plays next season. Collin Sexton might be a possible target as well. Would the Cavs match a max offer? Hard to say. Personally speaking, I'd pass on Sexton. I'm not a fan of his game.

JJJ's and Sexton's max would start at $28,946,750 (=25% of the cap). In comparison, Beal's max will start at $40,525,450 (35% of the cap).

For what it's worth, I think the salary cap will be substantially higher than you have it.  Ticket sales will presumably rebound this year, and the cap will rise by 10%.

[boscel33]

To Beal is the right answer. but you have to get him on a contract like Lebron seems to get stars in on, a one year deal, then you resign.

[Csfan1984]

It's all about the recruitment after Beal. I feel there would be a lot here to attract ring chasers so you do it.

[kraidstar]

It's all about the recruitment after Beal. I feel there would be a lot here to attract ring chasers so you do it.

Exactly. Landing another star makes us a legit title destination, and is great for the image of the organization going forward. And gutting the team this year gives TimeLord, PP, Nesmith, and Langford a lot of minutes to either become part of the future core or to develop value as trade pieces. Tanking this year for Beal also likely nets us a mid-round 1st which is also an attractive trade piece to fill out the roster.

We are losing a lot by cutting down the roster - but there are gains to be made elsewhere. Any trade for a star would have gutted the roster anyways and left us with no picks. Good to shed our mediocre vets now so we don't end up like the Blazers.

[ETNCeltics]

I love Beal, but I don't see that he makes us that much stronger.

JMO, Brad is maneuvering players and cap for something totally different than Beal.

[jpotter33]

I love Beal, but I don't see that he makes us that much stronger.

JMO, Brad is maneuvering players and cap for something totally different than Beal.

Yeah, I’m not sold on the Beal fit either, especially with what it’d take to get him.

[kraidstar]

TimeLord's cap hold is about $11M btw. He is a RFA.

If Beal gives us a $6M discount it puts us in the range to sacrifice Romeo instead of TL.

It is going to be uncomfortably tight either way.

[Jvalin]

It's all about the recruitment after Beal. I feel there would be a lot here to attract ring chasers so you do it.

Exactly. Landing another star makes us a legit title destination, and is great for the image of the organization going forward. And gutting the team this year gives TimeLord, PP, Nesmith, and Langford a lot of minutes to either become part of the future core or to develop value as trade pieces. Tanking this year for Beal also likely nets us a mid-round 1st which is also an attractive trade piece to fill out the roster.

We are losing a lot by cutting down the roster - but there are gains to be made elsewhere. Any trade for a star would have gutted the roster anyways and left us with no picks. Good to shed our mediocre vets now so we don't end up like the Blazers.

Who said anything about tanking/gutting the team this year? We'd still be a highly competetive team this year. If we persuade Beal to sign with us in the 2022 free agency, we let everybody walk. If not, we re-sign our key free agents and we run it back.

That said, the ideal scenario would be to strike a sign and trade deal with the Wiz. Like Jim said, we could possibly retain both Smart and Timelord this way. Not to mention, we wouldn't need to dump/stretch Horford anymore, cause we'd use his expiring contract to match Beal's salary.

I love Beal, but I don't see that he makes us that much stronger.

JMO, Brad is maneuvering players and cap for something totally different than Beal.

Such as?