The Phoenix Suns guard reportedly was willing to waive his no trade clause to return to Washington earlier this year. That said I hope this doesn’t happen.
Kevin Durant is headed to the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster trade, but the fingerprints of the Washington Wizards are still on this move—not because Durant landed in D.C. Duh! But indirectly because of Bradley Beal.
Beal’s contract—five years, $251 million with two years and about $111 million remaining—was signed under former Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard. And let’s be clear: this isn’t about blaming Beal. The man exercised his no-trade clause when Phoenix tried to trade him in the past. But the Wizards will forever be linked to the ripple effects of that contract, especially now that Beal’s deal is one of the reasons Phoenix had such limited flexibility and ultimately blew up the Durant era.
Now the Suns are inevitably shopping Beal or are at the very least trying to negotiate his exit. And ironically, the Wizards—one of the few teams projected to have cap space over the next two seasons—might actually be a feasible landing spot. after all he previously was reportedly willing to waive his no trade clause to go back to the Wizards earlier this year.
But here’s the thing: I’m not on board. And I assume most of you aren’t either. Not because Beal wasn’t great to D.C. fans as a person or as a starting shooting guard for most of the 2010s—he was. But he’s chasing contention, even in decline. The Wizards aren’t close.
Still, with Beal’s no-trade clause still in play, and his leverage intact, don’t be shocked if Washington re-enters the picture in the rumor mill just because Bill was previously willing to wave his no trade clause to go back to Washington. Just don’t count on it being the right move.
What are your reactions to the Duran Durant trade to the Rockets. And what do you think will happen to Beal over the next few weeks? Let us know in the comments.