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The Boston Celtics swung big at the NBA trade deadline to boost their surging postseason chances. However, once the season wraps up, the team’s two biggest in-season acquisitions, Derrick White and Daniel Theis, could once again be on the move if the Celtics pursue Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal in the offseason, according to one writer.
“The Celtics won’t be able to sign him outright in free agency with their cap situation, particularly after adding White and Theis at the trade deadline. That makes trading [for] him as the only realistic option (via opt-in and trade or a sign-and-trade),” wrote Brian Robb of Mass Live on February 18.
Beal has a $36.4 million player option looming in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Celtics are handicapped when it comes to their salary cap, with the salaries of White and Theis combining for over $23 million, or almost 18%, of Boston’s payroll, according to Spotrac.
To bring Beal to Boston — or, at the very least, bring Washington to the table — the Celtics would likely have to trade away White, Theis and/or some of the veteran mainstays on their roster.
“The opt-in would be far more preferable for Boston since it wouldn’t come attached with any hard cap limitations for the season,” Robb wrote. “The Celtics have plenty of matchable salary (Horford, White, Theis, Smart) along with guys on rookie deals to make the math work. A combination of those players plus significant draft compensation is likely the package that will be offered if the team makes a serious run at Beal.”
Beal’s Contract Situation
Beal, who’s set to turn 29 years old in late June, is eligible to ink a new five-year deal with the Wizards this offseason worth as much as $245 million, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on February 8. The same day, it was announced that Beal would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist.
Wojnarowski previously reported that the day prior to the announcement, Beal and his agent Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports met with Wizards owner Ted Leonsis and GM Tommy Sheppard to discuss the St. Louis native’s future in D.C. Per the NBA insider, “the conversation — which included reaching a consensus on Beal’s ultimate decision to repair a torn scapholunate ligament — will start to shape Beal’s decision on his future with the organization.”
Beal’s Future
While Beal’s future whereabouts will continue to be a talking point as long as the franchise continues to struggle, the Wizards’ longest-tenured player has stayed loyal to the team that drafted him a decade ago. And by the sound of it, he doesn’t plan on switching up anytime soon.
“I look forward to coming back at 100% and continuing to lead this team as we work together to build toward the future,” Beal said in a statement announcing his surgery, Quinton Mayo of CBS Sports Washington tweeted on February 8.
The former No. 3 overall pick appeared in 40 games for the Wizards in 2021-22, averaging 23.2 points and a career-best 6.6 assists. The two seasons prior Beal finished within the top-three of scoring, averaging 30-plus points per game in back-to-back campaigns.
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