The Washington Wizards have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season, starting 2-9 before reeling off a three-game winning streak and a subsequent two-game skid. It’s gotten so bad that the front office is reportedly willing to open shop and start fresh.
Story on ESPN: Wizards signaling a willingness to consider trade overtures on entire roster, including All-Star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal. https://t.co/LM7PiQvweB
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 19, 2018
Things are bad on the court in the nation’s capital, and perhaps the biggest reason is team chemistry. A couple of years ago it became known to the public that the team’s two stars, point guard John Wall and shooting guard Bradley Beal, did not get along, and that was always going cap the team’s potential.
And there were rumblings in the past about the rest of the players on the roster being selfish and only caring about ‘getting theirs,’ and after a slow start this season, Wall and Beal brought it to the public’s attention.
The losing has taken a toll on the massive egos in the locker room, and it’s starting to leak out even more.
Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: The Washington Wizards had a volatile practice within recent days, with verbal altercations among players and an exasperated Bradley Beal saying toward team officials: "I've been dealing with this for seven years."
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 19, 2018
Wall and the Beal are the biggest names on the roster, thus making them the two most significant gets for a team, and the Los Angeles Lakers should consider taking a run at one of them, notably Beal.
In fact, they need to avoid the Wizards point guard at all costs. Wall, 28, has had an up-and-down 2019 season and does not carry the best of perceptions in the eyes of the public.
The veteran is averaging 20.9 points (second-highest of career), 7.9 assists (second-lowest), and a career-low 3.3 rebounds on 45.1% shooting from the field (tied for career-best). His three-point shooting is in line with his career mark, which is below-average, but his effective field goal percentage is a career-best.
However, he’s been viewed as a guy that cares more about his money and numbers than winning. Whether it’s true or not, we don’t know, but it’s been put out there, and he did come into the season a little heavier than he was in the past. Also, he was seen partying at a club the night before Washington’s season opener.
Along with the chemistry baggage, Wall brings a significant financial commitment. Including this season, the 28-year-old is owed $188.5 million through 2023, with his four years, $170 million extension kicking in next season.
That is a lot to commit to for a Lakers team trying to preserve their financial flexibility. And that is a lot for a point guard in his late twenties who stops the ball, can’t shoot, relies solely on his athleticism, and has an injury history; all which point to an ugly decline. The extension has “albatross” written all over it.
Not to mention, Los Angeles has four players (LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Rajan Rondo) who can run the point, need the ball in their hands, and are cheaper. And that doesn’t even include Kyle Kuzma and Lance Stephenson, who also need the rock.
Which is why the Lakers should turn their heads to Beal because he is a near-perfect fit for what the team needs and is looking for. He’s averaging 21.5 points on 45.5% from the field, although his three-point shooting is down to a career-low 33.9%.
Beal is a proven 40% sniper who is just plagued by a toxic environment. A fresh start would no doubt turn things around for him. His combination of scoring ability, shooting, and defense makes him arguably one of the three best shooting guards in the game. Combined with his off-ball skills, he makes for an excellent fit for almost any team and one of the better complements for LeBron James the league has to offer.
The Florida product has no history of locker room or ego problems like Wall, instead, not minding not being the guy to help the team. He has played off-ball his entire career, and no doubt wouldn’t mind deferring to LeBron James.
The Lakers are looking to pair James up with another star, so why not start with a 25-year-old Beal? He is under contract through 2021, with $25.4 million due this year, $27.1 million next, and $28.7 the year after. Considering his age, skill, and the going rate in the market, he comes reasonably priced.
A deal of this nature would require Los Angeles to part with some of their young assets. But with the Wizards prioritizing cleaning house and clearing cap room he would not require the farm.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, 25, and his expiring $12 would be a great starting point. Then one of their young guards in Lonzo Ball or Josh Hart and one of their forwards in Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram sounds like it might get it done. The Lakers should do what they can to hold onto Ingram, but if push comes to shove, must hold onto one of their promising young forwards.
The trade would give the Wizards a direct, and cheaper, replacement for Beal that will come off their books next summer. And it would give them a promising young guard and forward to build around for the future.
It would also help the Lakers win this season while keeping their cap space flexibility next summer if the right assets are used, and would make them more attractive to star free agents looking to win.
Playing in Los Angles in the purple and gold alongside LeBron James, Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram/Kyle Kuzma, and Lonzo Ball/Josh Hart would make for one of the more attractive free agent destinations.
Again, the Lakers should consider it, not go all-out and overpay. What they have right now is working (7-2 in their last nine contests) and if the younger players continue to develop, it would potentially put the Lakers in a better situation in the long run.
And because there isn’t a clear number two behind James, as there would be with Beal, it means more opportunity for the younger guys on the team. But if the Lakers can get Beal without having to give too much up in assets, they should strongly consider it to help streamline, but not rush, the process.
Featured Image via Flickr/Keith Allison
