The NBA trade deadline is just over a week away, and one of the few stars who could be moved is Bradley Beal.
Beal is an All-Star caliber player but his scoring and shooting percentages are down across the board. He's averaging 23.2 points (31.3 last season) per game, while shooting just 45.1 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range. In Beal's defense, he's dealing with a left wrist injury, which will keep him out at least another week.
The 28-year-old shooting guard is able to become an unrestricted free agent if he doesn't exercise his player option for the 2022-23 season. Therefore, if the Wizards don't trade or extend him before July, they risk the possibility of losing him for nothing in free agency.
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What's the latest on Beal's future as the Feb. 10 trade deadline approaches?
Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic reported Wednesday that, "For the first time in a long time, sources close to Beal indicate he’s not rejecting out of hand the notion of trade elsewhere — even though his preference is to remain with the Wizards."
They also reported that, "Sources have heard no indications the Wizards are seriously considering trading Beal."
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The Boston Celtics are often speculated as a potential landing spot for Beal, either as a trade partner or a free agent destination. Beal's friendship with Celtics star Jayson Tatum has been well-documented, and the Celtics would be wise to pair Tatum and Jaylen Brown with a third star.
One team with interest in Beal is the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Robbins and Aldridge report that Philly doesn't want to add talented young guard Tyrese Maxey into a potential trade package for Beal that would include point guard Ben Simmons. The Sixers have yet to find a trade partner for Simmons, who has not played a single game this season.
The Wizards have struggled of late with a 3-7 record in their last 10 games. And yet, they remain just a game out of a play-in tournament spot in the Eastern Conference standings. If the Wizards intend to compete for one of these four spots, they need to keep Beal.
It all creates a fascinating conundrum for the Wizards as the trade deadline nears.