AP Photo/John Locher

Bradley Beal Trade Rumors: Warriors, 76ers, Heat, Hawks 'Could All Get in on the Mix'

Tyler Conway

The Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are all among the teams that could target Bradley Beal if he becomes available via trade.

Fred Katz of The Athletic identified those teams as "in the mix" in the event Beal requests a trade, which remains a distinct possibility this offseason. Beal can become a free agent next summer and may desire a change of location that would better allow him to compete for a championship.

It's fair to question whether the Wizards would be better off moving Beal and beginning a full-scale rebuild. Washington hasn't gotten past the second round in Beal's career and has three straight below-.500 seasons.

There is no obvious path toward an improvement, either, with Russell Westbrook, Davis Bertans and Beal eating up nearly all of the Wizards' cap space. The contracts of Westbrook and Bertans make them difficult to trade, and Washington certainly wouldn't add any difference-makers that would improve the outlook for next season.

By contrast, moving on from Beal and beginning what's seemed like an inevitable rebuild for years may be the prudent call. The Wizards would command multiple draft picks and young players in trade talks, the type of haul that could catapult a rebuilding effort.

The Sixers and Warriors have the strongest trade packages of the teams listed. Philadelphia's package would begin with Ben Simmons, the best young star available on the trade market, and may include promising young pieces like Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle, along with picks.

If the Wizards don't want to rebuild around Simmons, they could easily create a three-team deal that nets them two or perhaps even three future first-round picks.

The Warriors have picks Nos. 7 and 14 in Thursday's draft, along with 2020 No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins to offer in a trade package. While Wiseman's star isn't as bright after a difficult rookie season, that type of deal could be intriguing given the depth of talent in Thursday's draft.

It's hard to find a trade package the Heat or Hawks could offer that matches up with Philly or Golden State.

   

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