While all signs point to the Wizards keeping Bradley Beal, some teams remain on alert with the situation in Washington.
“Eventually I think the Wizards will [trade him],” one NBA executive told Marc Berman of the New York Post. “They want to treat Beal right. I think Beal will get frustrated enough to ask for a trade and they will accommodate him.”
The Knicks are among the teams with an eye on the situation, Berman adds. The franchise would be among the bidders should the shooting guard truly become available. New York would prefer to keep R.J. Barrett out of a potential Beal deal, though with the club having two future Mavericks’ first-rounders, the team may be alright with shipping out Barrett or other young talent knowing they can replenish their cupboard over the next few years.
Beal has maintained both publicly and privately that he wants to remain with the Wizards. However, rumors will only continue to swirl if the 6-16 Wizards don’t turn it around.
The former No. 3 overall pick isn’t the only player that the Knicks are keeping an eye on. New York is also monitoring Victor Oladipo‘s situation and it’s believed that Oladipo would cost less to acquire in a trade.
More NBA Trade Rumors
- J.J. Redick‘s name has been in trade rumors and Berman (same piece) hears that Redick’s preference is either the Knicks or Nets, as the shooting guard’s family lives in Brooklyn. It was previously reported that the 36-year-old wanted a trade to either Philadelphia, Boston, or Brooklyn.
- The Bulls continue to slide in the standings and the franchise could become sellers on the trade market sooner than later, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes. Cowley previously reported that no player on the team is untouchable in trade talks.
- The Heat were rumored to be in the Derrick Rose sweepstakes but Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel believes it would have been difficult for Miami to meet Detroit with a better offer than the Knicks made. The Pistons received Dennis Smith Jr. in the deal (along with a 2021 second-rounder) and Miami was unlikely to give up a young prospect for the former MVP.
- Smith wasn’t seeing playing time in New York but the former top-10 pick didn’t ask for a trade prior to being dealt to Detroit, Berman hears. Smith will make his debut for the club on Thursday vs. the Pacers.
