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Washington Wizards: 4 Bradley Beal trades that actually help the Wizards

By Jack Skolnik

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 01, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 01, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards Garrison Mathews Michael Porter Jr. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards Garrison Mathews Michael Porter Jr. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Washington Wizards Trade Bradley Beal to Denver

Washington Wizards Receive: Michael Porter Jr., Gary Harris, Will Barton, RJ Hampton, 2024 First-round Pick, 2026 First-round Pick
Denver Nuggets Receive: Bradley Beal, Troy Brown Jr.

Boom. So off the bat, I’m playing hardball. I’m not just after young players. Draft compensation is a must, and two first-round picks should do it. If teams can dream up scenarios that end with the Wizards getting completely fleeced, I am allowed to come up with one where they get comfortably compensated.

How it helps the Washington Wizards:

The one major positive about a Bradley Beal trade is that it jumpstarts the rebuild. Take the New Orleans Pelicans, whose recent rebuild was thoroughly sped up by the package they received for Anthony Davis, which included Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks. The Wizards should be after something similar. They have to find a guy who could be a potential cornerstone and I think Michael Porter Jr. can be that guy.

I know some are conscious of Michael Porter Jr’s injury history — a back injury caused him to free fall on draft night — but if medical records check out, he is a serious player. Standing at 6’10, Porter can score at all three levels. This season, his second active season in the NBA, he is averaging 18.4 points per game. Still just 22 years old, Porter could be the next face of the franchise in Washington.

RJ Hampton is an interesting prospectworth taking a flier on. Gary Harris is more of a cap filler and has faded over the past few seasons, but having another young (26 years old) 3&D wing is not the worst thing. The Nuggets don’t have a ton of first-round picks to sell, but the Wizards will need at least two to help keep the rebuild moving over the next few years.

Why it helps the Denver Nuggets:

Fresh off of a Western Conference Finals appearance, the Nuggets’ championship window is open. Their two star players, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, are only 25 and 23 years old, respectively. They already have a young core in place and last year that core got them to the Western Conference Finals. Beal is the piece they need to take the next step.

Adding Bradley Beal to an already potent offense would be lethal. Nikola Jokic is one of the best passing big men in the league (if not one of the best passers in general), and Jamal Murray thrives while making plays with the ball in his hands. Beal, who can be effective with and without the ball, is the perfect fit.

Nuggets fans might see this package and think it is a bit much, but they are one of the few teams I believe can put together a quality offer without mortgaging their future too much. They would also get back 21-year-old Troy Brown, whose swiss-army knife style of play can be effective on any team. — Jack Skolnik

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