The Washington Wizards just lost their franchise star with 11 seasons of service for virtually nothing, as they traded Bradley Beal for 38-year-old Chris Paul, Landey Shamet, first-round pick swaps, and second-round picks.
Beal is a former scoring champion and the Wizards received salary-filler contracts with no unprotected first-round picks. NBA insider Kevin O’Connor blamed the situation on Washington giving Beal a no-trade clause which allowed the star to control where he goes and what the Wiz would get for him.
“The Wizards screwed themselves giving Bradley Beal that no-trade clause with the supermax. They should have dealt him instead of extending him. Predictably embarrassing it ended this way.”
The Wizards screwed themselves giving Bradley Beal that no trade clause with the supermax. They should have dealt him instead of extending him. Predictably embarrassing it ended this way.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 18, 2023
The Wizards were reportedly interested in Deandre Ayton as the returning piece before Beal insisted it is Chris Paul instead. It makes sense, as Beal wouldn’t want his new team to give up an asset like Ayton for him. He’d rather play with the big man or see him dealt elsewhere in a trade that brings them more rotational depth.
Trade Players Before Their Value Disappears
The Wizards insisted on not trading Beal for the last five years despite most fans predicting this would be the ultimate destination for both team and the player. People didn’t forsee Beal getting a no-trade clause, something even top stars in the NBA like Giannis Antetokounmpo don’t have. That clause guaranteed the Wizards would lose Beal for cheap when the time came. They could’ve restocked future assets four years ago instead of letting Beal go for virtually nothing in 2023.
This will be a cautionary tale to teams around the NBA that get stuck in the middle of the league. The Wiz were never bad enough for a top-five pick but rarely good enough for the playoffs. The Blazers may end up having to trade Damian Lillard for cheap after they also kept him for their title hopes, something that looks out of the picture now for the Blazers.
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