Even though we’re a month away from the start of the 2020-2021 NBA playoffs, it’s never too early to start thinking about possible offseason moves, especially for Miami Heat President Pat Riley. He stated in a March 25 post-game press conference, “There always is what’s next … We’ll just see what happens at the end of the season.”
According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, one of the “most realistic potential trades” to happen this summer is a blockbuster that would bring Bradley Beal to Miami. In order for the Heat to obtain the Washington Wizard’s three-time All-Star, the price would not be cheap.
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Buckley proposed that Beal could take his talents to South Beach if the Heat give up the following: “Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, 2025 first-round pick (top-three protected) and 2027 first-round pick.”
Bleacher Report’s trade idea for the Miami Heat this offseason:
Miami Heat receive: Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards receive: Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, Andre Iguodala, KZ Okpala, 2025 first-round pick (top-three protected) and 2027 first-round pick
Though Herro was kept off the trade block leading up to the deadline this season, if Beal — the No. 2 scorer in the entire league who’s averaging 31.1 points per game — becomes available, the young boy wonder may lose his untradeable status. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported that the Heat would be willing to throw a “Hail Mary” in order to acquire the 28-year-old guard:
There’s still a real chance Beal stays in Washington for years to come, but as the Wizards rack up losses, teams like the Heat are waiting to pounce. In addition to Miami, multiple league sources say the Celtics, Knicks, and Pelicans are among the teams with interest in pursuing a deal for Beal.
Thus far, Beal has not mentioned that he has any desire to leave Washington, the team that first drafted him in 2012. However, O’Connor reported, “League sources say [Beal’s] decision to play through this season without making a trade request is as much a commitment to see things through this season with Russell Westbrook as it is about waiting until the worst of the coronavirus pandemic passes in the United States before making a life-altering decision. ”
After the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season, Beal’s contract makes him eligible for free agency.
Beal’s Agent Explained Why He’s Sticking With a Losing Franchise
GettyBradley Beal, No. 3 of the Washington Wizards, acknowledges fans being allowed back to Capital One Arena prior to the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 21, 2021.
Despite Beal’s remarkable performance thus far this season, the Washington Wizards are 25-33 and sit in 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Pure Sweat Basketball’s Drew Hanlen, Beal’s longtime trainer, told Yahoo Sports, “Brad’s never been someone to run from adversity. While a lot of other stars have chosen to blame others and run to another team where things are easier, Brad wants to stick things out and help turn the Wizards into a winning franchise.”
As for why Beal is choosing to stick with a losing team in his prime, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports & Entertainment, who has been Beal’s agent since the 2012 draft, told Yahoo Sports: “It’s the team that drafted him, the team that’s invested in him, and he desperately wants to make them a championship contender. He wants to make it happen. That’s the way he is. He’s not looking for the easy way out. He challenges himself. The evolution of his game speaks volumes about how committed he is and how hard he works.”
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Miami Heat Lands 3x All-Star in Trade Proposed by Bleacher Report