LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 07: Jayson Tatum (L) #10 and Bradley Beal #4 of the 2021 USA Basketball Men’s National Team laugh after a practice at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV as the team gets ready for the Tokyo Olympics on July 7, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesEver since the Celtics season ended, rumors have been flying around about what they will do in free agency and in the trade market. Names like Bradley Beal and Damian Lillard have floated to the top, with Beal garnering more attention as of recent. Over the weekend, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Reporter reported that Beal is considering a trade request before the NBA Draft, which is this Thursday.
“Beal does not have a proverbial list of preferred destinations, but it was mentioned by multiple sources that he would welcome joining teams such as Boston, Golden State, Miami or Philadelphia,” Fischer said.
Boston makes the Beal sweepstakes because of his relationship with Jayson Tatum. The two grew up together in St. Louis and have always wanted to play together. They were both supposed to play for Team USA in the Olympics, but Beal had a positive COVID-19 test which knocked him out of the games.
Although Tatum lost the opportunity to recruit his friend during the Olympics, he took to social media on Saturday to drop a subtle, but clear message.
Tatum commented a clover emoji, representing the Celtics, on a post about Beal potentially wanting out of Washington. Then, on the same day, Jason Dumas of Bleacher Report tweeted more information linking Beal and Boston.
While Beal has not yet formally requested a trade, early signs point to him wanting to head north. The caveat with all of this is a trade isn’t done by the player, it’s done by the team. So, the Wizards will be looking for the best deal they can get and there will for sure be a lot of teams interested in trading for the shooting guard.
Beal is entering the final concrete year of his contract, with a player option for the 2022-2023 season. There is no no-trade clause in his contract, meaning Washington can trade him to the highest bidder without restriction.
“Boston's path to securing Beal would appear far more costly, as the Celtics' offer almost certainly has to include Jaylen Brown and all of their future draft picks they are able to part with,” Fischer said. “Brown may be the most valued young player the Wizards could net in any return - Ben Simmons included.”
If the reports are correct that Beal would like to get traded before the draft, that will need to be done before this Thursday.
