With the new season quickly approaching, teams around the league are scrambling to make moves ahead of training camp.
And while things are relatively quiet right now, there could be something big brewing.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, executives around the league are eyeballing the situations in Portland and D.C., specifically concerning Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal.
Now, when you talk to executives around the league, all eyes are centered on Beal, Damian Lillard, and Zach LaVine as the guys that they’re keeping tabs on for the next potential star who could be moved.
Of course, there is some doubt that either of them will be moved at all.
You mentioned all eyes will be on Beal, LaVine, and others. The free agency market next season is not going to be good. Because of that, I’d think most likely these guys are going to end up staying with their teams. They’re going to get just as much money to stay with them as much as signing a max contract elsewhere.
In Washington, Bradley Beal has (so far) resisted the urge to request a trade. Despite multiple early playoff exits, and a front office with no clear plan for the future, his loyalty remains with the Wizards for now.
Meanwhile, for Damian Lillard, he has become rather notorious for his unwavering loyalty to the Blazers. After years of keeping Portland in the Western playoff picture, there was some unrest within the organization this offseason, and many believed he was on the verge of demanding out.
Damian Lillard is willing to forgo paychecks if he decides he wants a trade from the Blazers and the franchise doesn’t oblige him, per @TrueHoop Lillard will also try to influence what team he ends up playing for.
Lillard will also try to influence what team he ends up playing for.
As two of the NBA’s biggest stars, it’s no surprise that both Beal and Lillard are the targets of teams around the association. They have the talent to seriously shift the balance of power.
But, for now, their availability remains nonexistent and there is no telling when, or even if, they will ever become available.
