The Hawks are among a list of teams eyeing a trade for Bradley Beal, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. The Warriors, Sixers, and Heat are also among the group.
While Katz notes that Beal has spent recent weeks mulling his future and “at times has been very much on the fence about whether or not he wants to remain with the Wizards,” there were conflicting reports on the star’s status over the weekend. Our own Chris Crouse reported that the front office and Beal remain aligned and the team is preparing for the offseason as if Beal will be on the roster.
Beal can be a free agent after the 2021-22 season and there were rumblings that he could make a decision on his future in Washington D.C. this week ahead of the NBA Draft, a move that would potentially allow a top prospect from this year’s class to join Washington. However, as Chase Hughes of NBC Sports notes, the organization doesn’t feel like it needs to make any long-term determination in the coming days. Hughes also confirms that Beal has remained in contact with the franchise and has given no indication that he wants a trade.
It may be worth noting that Beal himself has backed the notion that he wants a one-team legacy, appreciating the control he’s been given while also having a desire to own the franchise record books, having his jersey number retired in the rafters, and having a silhouette painted on the court
“Not many guys could say who they want on their team,” Beal said (via The Athletic). “Not many guys have the opportunity to have the team build around them. So, you can’t just overlook those things. And then the commitment that you make to the city, the commitment that you make to the community, to your team, those things carry weight.”
There is something to be said for Beal wanting to remain loyal to the only team he’s ever known, but if he finds his way onto any one of those four teams, that team would easily be among the favorites to win a championship next season.
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