Wizards star Bradley Beal can’t seem to get away from being included in trade rumors. This season, amid the Wizards’ struggles, his name has already surfaced in several potential deals with multiple different teams.
The latest rumor, and perhaps the most outlandish of all, involves the Memphis Grizzlies, who are looking to add a co-star next to their young stud, Ja Morant. Here’s the segment, by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley.
Can you imagine Beal and Ja Morant in the same backcourt? The former is a premier point-producer who can also function as a primary playmaker. The latter is a top-shelf table-setter who’s also comfortable handling No. 1 scoring duties. Just stack their raw production on top of each other, and Memphis would have 52.7 points and 12.4 assists per game coming from its starting guard spots.
The Splash Brothers have never averaged that many points together. The Phoenix Suns are barely getting more assists out of Chris Paul and Devin Booker (13.2 per game).
In return for Beal, Memphis could send several players and picks.
Should the Wizards field offers for Beal, the Grizzlies could make a compelling one. They can offer financial relief (Gorgui Dieng’s $17.3 million expiring deal), draft considerations (any of their own firsts, plus incoming picks from Utah and Golden State) and any number of prospects (Xavier Tillman, Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke).
With season averages of 32.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game on 48% shooting, Beal has emerged as one of the game’s most elite scorers, and fans have clearly taken notice.
In Memphis, he could make them instant playoff locks and, with some more time and moves, title contenders.
But it will be up to the team to make the first move if Beal does ever become available.
