The Wizards maintain that they are not trading Bradley Beal, though that’s not going to stop potential suitors from gearing up for a trade. Opposing teams are gearing up for a potential deal and perhaps no team possesses a better combination of young players and picks than the Pelicans do.
New Orleans has its eyes on Beal, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, who writes that the front office’s interest in Beal is one of the league’s “biggest open secrets.” If Beal eventually lands on the trade block, the Pelicans are widely expected to get involved.
Atlanta could be another team, Fischer adds. Prior to the draft, Wizards had a strong interest in USC big man Onyeka Okongwu, who the Hawks took with the No. 6 overall (Washington had the No. 9 selection).
As we reported last week, Washington’s front office vowed not to send Beal to anywhere he doesn’t want to go back in 2019 when he signed his extension. Beal is under contract through the 2022-23 season, though the final year of that pact is a player option.
