Beal: I’ve Already Made Decision/Been Recruited Alot

[jpotter33]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10039141-wizards-bradley-beal-says-hes-been-recruited-a-lot-gives-wrist-injury-update

Interesting article. Beal says he’s already made his decision regarding whether he’s opting in or going to free agency and seeking a new contract (and potentially new team). Says his decision will be based on where he thinks he can win.

Will be interesting to see play out given how connected he’s been to Boston and Tatum. They’re clearly very, very close, and I do think the Finals loss only makes us that more attractive.

That said, I read his quotes as suggesting he’s staying with Washington, though it’s hardly because it gives him the best chance of winning. I’m also still unsure of whether that’s the right play for us if he’s actually wanting to come here.

[gouki88]

He's someone I don't really understand. Every time he makes cryptic comments about wanting to win, yet he has stuck with horrible Washington teams for more money all his career.

[Jvalin]

Says his decision will be based on where he thinks he can win.

If so, then we should be the frontrunners to sign him given that he's close friends with Tatum.

Regardless of what he said, I believe we have a legit chance to sign him.

PG: Smart
SG: Beal
SF: Brown
PF: Tatum
C: Timelord

That would be the best team in the NBA in my book.

[hpantazo]

We can't afford him unless we ship out Horford or several of our core guys who anchor our defense, which I wouldn't do. Our defense was our main strength by far. Take away Smart plus another core player and replace that with Beal, or defense is mediocre and we become the Nets 2.0. Our window would also massively shorten.

[Jvalin]

We can't afford him unless we ship out Horford or several of our core guys who anchor our defense, which I wouldn't do. Our defense was our main strength by far. Take away Smart plus another core player and replace that with Beal, or defense is mediocre and we become the Nets 2.0. Our window would also massively shorten.

How will our window ''massively shorten'' if we trade 36-year-old Horford + White (= backup ball handler) + pick(s) for 29-year-old Beal?

edit: My bad, you said you wouldn't trade Horford for Beal. I guess we agree to disagree.

[Moranis]

As I posted elsewhere I think this trade makes some level of sense for both teams

Smart, White, Nesmith, 23 1st, 25 1st (top 4)

for

Beal, Smith

so post-trade contracts

PG - Beal, Pritchard, Smith
SG - Brown
SF - Tatum, Hauser, Stauskas
PF - Horford, Grant, Morgan, Fitts
C - Rob, Theis

That leaves 2 open roster spots with all the TPE's and the TMLE though not much draft capital.  Team clearly could use a wing or two, but I think there may be some targets out there with the TPE's that might serve more as salary dumps for the team trading i.e. guys like Duncan Robinson or Maxi Kleber. 

[hpantazo]

The answer to this is probably no, but would be able to package White, Theis, Nesmith and our TPE for Beal? That is something I would do.

Trading our DPOY who is in the same age group as Tatum and Brown is a major no, and  trading Horford who was a major factor in our defensive resurgence is a major no.

[gouki88]

If Beal could get back to the kind of shooting percentages he was putting up alongside Wall (which would be reasonable given the attention the Jays would garner), alongside his developments in playmaking both for himself and others, I think he could be huge here. His assist and turnover percentages were better than Smart this most recent season.

First trade along the lines of what Mo posted (Smart, White & Nesmith + picks for Beal and Smith). Then second trade would be to use our Fournier TPE to shore up the bench with a veteran scorer. As Roy has often mentioned, Josh Richardson would be an interesting target. Would also, as I keep posting, kick the tires on Thad Young.

Start next season with:
Beal / Pritchard / Smith
Brown / Richardson / Beal
Tatum / Hauser / Brown
Horford / Grant / Tatum
Rob / Young / Theis

[DefenseWinsChamps]

As I posted elsewhere I think this trade makes some level of sense for both teams

Smart, White, Nesmith, 23 1st, 25 1st (top 4)

for

Beal, Smith

so post-trade contracts

PG - Beal, Pritchard, Smith
SG - Brown
SF - Tatum, Hauser, Stauskas
PF - Horford, Grant, Morgan, Fitts
C - Rob, Theis

That leaves 2 open roster spots with all the TPE's and the TMLE though not much draft capital.  Team clearly could use a wing or two, but I think there may be some targets out there with the TPE that might serve more as salary dumps for the team trading i.e. guys like Duncan Robinson or Maxi Kleber.

I've kinda' been wondering about the value of Beal compared to Smart. Smart is coming off a defensive MVP year and is locked into a great contract for four more years.

I think you could argue that trade is giving up way too much. The problem is that he really isn't that valuable to the Wizards. You don't get true value for Smart as a defensive MVP if you are going to trade him to a lottery team.

That's why I think he has to go to a third team. I think teams like the Wolves would be willing to pay much more for Smart than the Wizards. That means we'd likely have to give up less draft picks to make it work. For example, would the Wolves send out Russell and the 19th pick this year for Smart? Absolutely. In fact, I think they'd give an additional first round pick or McDaniels to get him. In fact, I think the Wizards would rather have Russell as a scorer as they try to retool as a fringe playoff team.

The other thing I can't figure out is how to make the salaries work in that scenario. Giving up White too in that trade is too much. That's just way, way more than any team gives up for other stars. A defensive MVP, a high-level rotation player, plus prospects, plus picks is just way more than anyone else has given up for a similar player to Beal.

Here's a trade in the same idea:

Cs: Beal, Smith, Vanderbilt (or McDaniels)
Wolves: Horford, Smart
Wizards: Russell, Pritchard, Nesmith, Minny 22 19th overall pick, Minny 2025 1st pick

If you're the Wizards, isn't that a similar trade (minus White, which I think was too much). If you're Minny, you would do that in a heartbeat.

This leaves the Cs with:

PG: Beal, White, Smith
SG: Brown
SF: Tatum
PF: G Williams, Vanderbilt
C: Williams, Theis

This keeps a little more defense in the backcourt for the Cs while getting a potential additional rotation player on a rookie contract at the 4.

This also saves a little more money for the tax payer MLE and/or using the trade exceptions we have.

[Phantom255x]

Unless you think Washington is willing to take 1 of Smart/White, Nesmith and a bunch of picks for him (lol), he's not getting traded here. And no, I would 1000000000% not trade Jaylen in a deal for Beal. Beal may be a slightly better scorer but Jaylen's a way better defender. You're not really changing the needle making that kind of move. I like Beal but I think he'd have to essentially force a trade TO Boston for it to happen.

I will say though, I'm not against keeping Smart BUT I think the Celtics do need to think hard and evaluate if they feel they have a really good #3 option on the team. I guess you can say Timelord but unfortunately he's just not reliable health-wise. He's still a great big to have. Smart definitely has his moments but if the team wants to really improve I think he's expendable this offseason. Him or White, but if they do trade Smart then I think White can replace him fairly well (he's not a better defender than Smart but he's still capable and I think he can be a suitable PG too)

[gouki88]

Unless you think Washington is willing to take 1 of Smart/White, Nesmith and a bunch of picks for him (lol), he's not getting traded here. And no, I would 1000000000% not trade Jaylen in a deal for Beal. Beal may be a slightly better scorer but Jaylen's a way better defender. You're not really changing the needle making that kind of move. I like Beal but I think he'd have to essentially force a trade TO Boston for it to happen.

It would be both Smart and White given Beal's Player Option is $36.4m

[Phantom255x]

Unless you think Washington is willing to take 1 of Smart/White, Nesmith and a bunch of picks for him (lol), he's not getting traded here. And no, I would 1000000000% not trade Jaylen in a deal for Beal. Beal may be a slightly better scorer but Jaylen's a way better defender. You're not really changing the needle making that kind of move. I like Beal but I think he'd have to essentially force a trade TO Boston for it to happen.

It would be both Smart and White given Beal's Player Option is $36.4m

Oh interesting. I mean I guess I can live with that IF they can find another avenue to replace Smart and White. Nesmith could play a part but they definitely need to find a PG then, and possibly a solid backup SG in this scenario if you're losing both White and Smart.

But after that Warriors series I'm not really against it. Warriors were just loaded with talent and they are paying for it (and good for them). I hope the C's evaluate and consider a similar role.

In theory, a [PG]/Jaylen/Beal/Tatum/Timelord starting lineup is fantastic, with guys like Horford, G-Will, Pritchard, etc. as depth (and a few other potential additions through exceptions)

[libermaniac]

Unless you think Washington is willing to take 1 of Smart/White, Nesmith and a bunch of picks for him (lol), he's not getting traded here. And no, I would 1000000000% not trade Jaylen in a deal for Beal. Beal may be a slightly better scorer but Jaylen's a way better defender. You're not really changing the needle making that kind of move. I like Beal but I think he'd have to essentially force a trade TO Boston for it to happen.

I will say though, I'm not against keeping Smart BUT I think the Celtics do need to think hard and evaluate if they feel they have a really good #3 option on the team. I guess you can say Timelord but unfortunately he's just not reliable health-wise. He's still a great big to have. Smart definitely has his moments but if the team wants to really improve I think he's expendable this offseason. Him or White, but if they do trade Smart then I think White can replace him fairly well (he's not a better defender than Smart but he's still capable and I think he can be a suitable PG too)

The package that Washington receives just has to be better than their alternative of letting him walk for nothing and replacing him with their own FAs. Beal has a player option. They don’t have any leverage. If Beal wants to play with Tatum and Boston wants him they just have to make an offer that works for them and is better than nothing for Wash. in my opinion trading Smart and White for Beal straight up is something you have to really consider. A year ago we didn’t have white and we would’ve salivated over the thought of trading Smart for Beal. 

With Beal, Tatum and Brown in their prime and ownership willing to pay the tax you can fill out a nice bench with ring chasers.

[gouki88]

Unless you think Washington is willing to take 1 of Smart/White, Nesmith and a bunch of picks for him (lol), he's not getting traded here. And no, I would 1000000000% not trade Jaylen in a deal for Beal. Beal may be a slightly better scorer but Jaylen's a way better defender. You're not really changing the needle making that kind of move. I like Beal but I think he'd have to essentially force a trade TO Boston for it to happen.

It would be both Smart and White given Beal's Player Option is $36.4m

Oh interesting. I mean I guess I can live with that IF they can find another avenue to replace Smart and White. Nesmith could play a part but they definitely need to find a PG then, and possibly a solid backup SG in this scenario if you're losing both White and Smart.

But after that Warriors series I'm not really against it. Warriors were just loaded with talent and they are paying for it (and good for them). I hope the C's evaluate and consider a similar role.

In theory, a [PG]/Jaylen/Beal/Tatum/Timelord starting lineup is fantastic, with guys like Horford, G-Will, Pritchard, etc. as depth (and a few other potential additions through exceptions)

I would probably stick with Beal/Brown/Tatum/Al/TL and use our MLE and TPE(s) to shore up the bench. Get a scoring wing type, a bench big, try and offload Theis, and go with an NBA ready type with our second round pick.

I think that team has a better offence-defence balance. Beal is an incredible offensive player, and doesn't have the size issues that previous offensive guards do (Kemba, Kyrie and IT) so as to not be glaring targets for the opposition. I think Beal would also be perfectly serviceable on D under Ime and his assistants.

We all saw what Damon Stoudamire was able to do with Smart in terms of point guard skills. I think he could do similarly for Beal.

[GreenlyGreeny]

I really do not see how we can get an all-star talent like Beal without giving up Brown. And I’m not convinced such a move is an upgrade unless it guarantees Tatum remains a Celtic for life. The marketing dollars would be huge, too, as we would essentially be the Boston Celtics and the St. Louis Celtics.

Maybe a move like this I could get behind:

BOS In: Beal, Kuzma
WAS In: Brown, Theis

In other words, we get Kuzma via the TPE, and then we immediately deal Brown/Theis for Beal.

Can Beal adopt the type of defense we need? Or at least be serviceable in that regard like Ray Allen back in the day?

If so, this is possibly an improved squad, particularly if Kuzma can bring his defense to the next level:

Smart/White
Beal/Pritchard
Tatum/Batman/Nesmith
Horford/Kuzma
Timelord/MLE

If it makes Tatum happy, it’s probably worth it. Making and keeping Tatum happy is goal number one since he’s our superstar and only hope of winning it all.