Let's discuss Bradley Beal. His wife's tweet today is going to start a lot of rumors. Beal has 2 years to go after this year, one of those a player option which he'll decline. He'll hit the market after the end of next season, at 29. He'll command the Supermax, which IMO he won't deserve but someone will give it to him. He's entering the prime years of his career and he's becoming a legitimate #1 option. He's a volume scorer and has increased his efficiency. The Wizards will ask for a Harden-type picks-heavy haul and then start tanking with Russ (who's washed up).
Which teams can reasonably give them this? I think these are the top contenders for him, not based in any order:
- Nuggets: deal centered around MPJ and Harris plus picks. Nuggets get a third prime-time scorer who will dovetail nicely with Murray and Jokic's prime.
- Warriors: Wiseman and maybe Green and a lot of unprotected future picks ('25/'26/'27). This puts the Warriors in win-now mode for the next 3 years, which is basically the rest of Steph and Klay's prime. I don't think the Warriors will do it because there's no certainty over whether Klay will be the same when he's back.
- 76ers: Simmons plus a lot of picks. 76ers get someone that matches better with Embiid.
Raptors and Heat could make a play if they're willing to mortgage their future but they don't seem good enough right now, so I'm not sure if Beal pushes them over the top.