Bradley Beal or John Wall? Together, the All-Star duo make the present and future very bright for the Washington Wizards. Unfortunately, they haven't made it beyond the second round since they've been together.
Washington has made the playoffs four of the last five seasons. The 2016-17 was their best season since they went 49-33 and looked like a team on the way up. Both players had career years. They were also minutes away from the conference finals. Last year, the Wizards took a step-back by not even making past the first round.
Still, the two were visibly upset in the playoffs. Media members like Paul Pierce suggested it was time for a change unless Beal or Wall stepped up.
The Wizards are not on the same page right now 👀 John Wall and Gortat arguing on the bench while Bradley Beal covers his face pic.twitter.com/PrTBywLbY3
— Hoops ON Tap (@SONTHoops) April 18, 2018
During the season, the two held a counterproductive players-only meeting. Gortat also had a problem with John Wall's defense.
Now, they've added veterans like Dwight Howard and Jeff Green in hopes to get over the hump. They traded for guard depth by shipping out Marcin Gortat for Austin Rivers. Washington even got involved in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes.
All that sounds great but it won't matter if the Wizards don't improve. It also won't matter if their All-Star backcourt duo doesn't produce and continue growing their relations. Here are some trade options for the Wizards to consider if they mix up their back court.
Beal versus Wall
The relationship between the Wizards All-Star guards has been well documented. Â In 2016, John Wall said he and Beal can disagree with a passion. Another quote from Beal said the two can clash because they're both alphas, according to Comcast Sports Net. They both admitted they needed to work on their relationship and become better professionals.
However, Bradley Beal broke down his relationship with Wall on his own blog after this season. He said the two are better than ever and united by wanting to prove doubters wrong. During the season, Beal also dispelled any idea that the team was better with Wall out of the lineup.
At different times, both players have said they believe they combine for the best backcourt in the NBA. Wall even said Beal had an MVP calibur season in 2018 and the point guard said he and Beal will only get better. Wizards head coach Scott Brooks even said Beal and Wall were attached at the hip over the two seasons he was the head coach.
Moreover, the Washington Post reported that the two were developing as leaders and improving their relationship despite the team's inconsistencies last year and outside comments from people like J.J. Barrea saying teammates don't like Wall.
Nonetheless, John Wall was the No. 1 pick in the 2010 draft and has transcended the franchise into relevancy since. He signed a five-year extension last offseason which means he is not eligible for a trade until July 26.
Still, Wall only played in 41 games last year. The 27-year-old hasn't played a full 82 games season since 2013-14 which could make him expendable. Wall averages 18.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game for his career so he should have plenty of suitors.
On the other hand, Beal played 82 games for the first time in his career. The 2012 No. 3 pick made his first All-Star team last year at age 24 and he was the youngest player to total 800 career three-pointers. The team even consulted him on their free agency moves.
Beal averages 18.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists for his career and he shoots nearly forty percent from three for his career. His breakout season last year featured career numbers of 22.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, showing he could handle the pressure without Wall. Beal's age, contract and range make him a great trade asset.
Things appear alright at the moment but that could get sour again, especially if Washington struggles with inconsistencies or gets bounced early again in the playoffs. Let's look at some realistic trade options for the Wizards to mix up their backcourt.
Swap problems with the Wolves
If the Wizards want to switch up their roster, the Timberwolves are a candidate that makes sense due to their own issues on the perimeter. Jimmy Butler turned down a fat extension from Minnesota and the rumors are that he doesn't want to re-sign their due to some of his teammates. He also occupies much of the same space as Andrew Wiggins.
Perhaps, Washington can deal Bradley Beal for Wiggins or Butler? They can trade Beal straight up for Wiggins or Beal.
Apparently, Wiggins and Butler problems last year. Not surprising since Wiggins' points per game average for the season didn't increase for the first time in his four-year career. Butler probably impacted that. Wiggins averages 19.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for his career. The 2013 No. 1 pick signed a five-year, $148 million extension last season. That contract makes him hard for the Timberwolves to move.
Butler is the proven All-Star averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season However, the 28-year-old can opt out of his contract after this season and he missed more than twenty games last season. Butler might be coach Tim Thibodeau's guy but Minnesota would be smart to consider moving him before he dips out in free agency.
That would make it appear that Butler would be easier for the Wizards to acquire. He might also give Washington some help on the defensive end.
At the same time, the Wizards are probably not willing to send Beal away for a player with one-year left on his deal. Washington is not in a place where they would need to shed Beal's salary for an expiring contract. Thus, they would probably rather have Wiggins who is two years younger than Beal and has two more deals left on his contract.
Wiggins doesn't have the same sharp-shooting ability as Beal but he brings length, athleticism and driving-ability to Washington. It still seems like lateral move for the Wizards but it makes sense if Wiggins' personality fits better with Wall. Also, Minnesota might swap Wiggins for Beal if it meant keeping Butler in Minnesota. Beal would give them some more range besides Butler too. Minnesota might become desperate enough to send a pick back to the Wizards for this deal to work.
Switch guards with the Blazers
Speaking of teams that seem stuck, the Blazers might be open to an All-Star backcourt swap with the Wizards. John Wall for Damian Lillard straight up?
Lillard is under contract until 2021 while Wall is under contract until 2023. Wall only makes $19 million this year but his salary balloons to over $37 million next year. Lillard has almost a $28 million salary this year with incremental raises over the next few seasons so it would take some added salary fillers to make this trade work.
Otherwise, Dame averaged 26.9 points, 6.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season. Wall averaged 19.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 9.6 assists. Lillard and Wall are around the same age too. Wall is the superior assist man and defender but Lillard is the better scorer and rebounder if we're picking and choosing. Wall's injury history might make the Wizards willing to try this change-up even Lillard's contract is two years shorter. Portland might want the added stability of Wall's longer contract even if it costs them more cash in the long run.
How about Beal for C.J. McCollum straight up? This scenario makes more sense since neither player is a dropoff in age, contract or game.  One could argue that Beal is a little bigger and McCollum is faster/quicker. Beal also has more playing time without John Wall than McCollum has without Lillard, which means Beal may have more appeal as a No. 1 scoring option. That might entice Portland to make this move.
For Washington, they would get McCollum who would mixup the Wizards team chemistry. He'd give them a combo guard who could not only move without the ball and get open while they're on the court together, but he can also run the floor and help with the ball-handling duties.
Remember, McCollum ran more than any other player last year which proves his activity. If either team underachieves at the deadline, expect them to consider swapping Beal and McCollum as the move is more realistic than trading franchise faces like Wall and Lillard.
Give L.A.'s Other Team a star
The Clippers come into play if the Wizards want to build around Beal. The Clippers can deal either of this year's lottery picks to Washington if they want to start rebuilding. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already looked like one of this year's steal in the Summer League and Jerome Collins rose quickly up draft boards.
L.A.'s other team might send one of those prospects with Tobias Harris and Lou Williams. Both veterans are solid contributors with great contracts. Williams is a bargain at $8 million over the next three years and Harris' deal expires after this year. This package helps the Wizards in the short and long-term.
Presumably, the Clippers would probably want Beal since he is young enough to build around and they would not have to worry about paying Wall at the money. L.A. traded Griffin in the middle of last season because they didn't want to pay him max money due to injury concerns and age so it is unlikely they would trade for Wall who is in the same category.
Nonetheless, the Wizards would get Collins as the two guard of the future and Williams to insert scoring into their bench for Beal. That's trading essentially what the Clippers got for Griffin for a younger star who fits the modern NBA. However, Wall's contract might make him the player the Wizards are more likely to move.
Of course, any deal would have to wait since neither of the Rookies can be traded until the first week of August. Lou Williams can also not be traded until August. Plus, this deal is unlikely since these teams recently swapped Gortat and Rivers. That means they probably would've done this trade already if both parties were interest. It could change if either Alexander or Collins breaks out and Washington decides to rebuild
Send Wall or Beal to the Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a lot of trade rumors because that is the nature of having LeBron James. They were already rumored to consider trading for Bradley Beal or John Wall.
Is Lonzo Ball or Brandon Ingram and a salary filler like Loul Deng enough to get John Wall or Bradley Beal? What if the Lakers wanted a second All-Star like Wall or Beal enough to package Kyle Kuzma and/or Josh Hart along with Ball and Ingram for Wall or Beal?
These will all be appealing options if the Wizards take another stepback this season. Getting a prospect like Ingram for Beal is good deal as well as getting Lonzo for Wall.
Solid rotational players like Kuzma or Hart make the potential of this deal even easier to get done. The point is, the Lakers have various options to get a deal done for Wall or Beal.
Here's yet another example of how Washington could move the needle with Los Angeles to get a deal done.
Beal makes more sense for the Lakers since he is a better shooter and fit for the roster as constructed. However, the Wizards have Otto Porter and might not have a place for Ingram.
Therefore, a package of Zo, Kuzma and/or Hart gives the Wizards the youth to build around Beal and Porter without Wall. Zo could florish in the Eastern Conference while Hart and Kuzma have proven they can start in this league. On the other hand, Wall gives the Lakers an All-Star point guard and playmaker to play beside LeBron James. That is something he hasn't had since Kyrie.
Philadelphia gets a guard
The 76ers also make sense if the Wizards want some youth for Beal or Wall. Philly can offer Markelle Fultz along with filler like JJ Redick, Jerryd Bayless, Wilson Chandler and or Robert Covington for John Wall after July 26th. Wall gives the Sixers an elite point guard to balance out their roster.
Philly can also offer Dario Saric and/or Zhaire Smith with a similar amount of filler for Bradley Beal. Again, this is an ideal trade partner because it gives the Wizards prospects for today and upgraded talent for right now. Of course, Smith has trade restrictions until after August 1.
Ideally, the Wizards would probably take the first offer since Fultz was the No. 1 pick last year. He could develop into a point guard as good as Wall without the big immediate playment. They would also infuse their lineup with two veterans. The deal for Beal isn't bad either since it gives them young players too.
Getting Redick and Chandler gives the Wizards veterans on expiring contracts who can help replace Beal's scoring, shooting and perimeter defense. They also get a player like Saric who can develop into something really good. They could also swap either Redick or Chandler for Robert Covington if they're willing to take on more long-term dollars for a player with more potential than either veteran. Washington could also ask to swap Smith for Saric if they want another young backcourt.
Again, Philly has many ways they can get either Washington All-Star. Picks could also be added to get this deal done, especially if either team is underachieving before the deadline.
Honorable mention
A swap of Kemba Walker and some salary dump for John Wall is a nice idea. However, it doesn't make a lot of sense given that we already saw the Kemba Walker and Dwight Howard experiment in Charlotte last season. The combo wasn't good enough for an eighth seed in the Eastern Conference which means it is unlikely we would see it in Washington.
A Klay Thompson for Bradley Beal deal also makes sense if the Warriors want to move Thompson before he can leave in free agency after this year. If that is the case, Beal would make sense for the Warriors since he has a similar contract and he is under contract until 2021. As of now, it seems Klay with stay with the Warriors so that is probably not a realistic offer.
Plot-twist, what if the Wizards determined they wanted to trade a small for a big? The Pistons make sense if the Blake Griffin experiment doesn't workout. Swap Beal or Wall for Griffin and that gives them a more balanced lineup.
Added, Cleveland makes sense if Kevin Love can't return to the No. 1 player status he had in Minnesota with LeBron gone. A one-for-one swap of Love or Griffin might make sense for Wall because Beal is too young to send for either of those veterans. Wall has similar age, injury history and contract length as Griffin. Love is a little older but brings championship experience.
The Orlando Magic also have a plethora of forwards and need guard help. Perhaps they can entice the Magic with a package around Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon or Nikola Vucevic. Still trading smalls for big is a tough option because it would make Austin Rivers or Tomas Satoransky Washington's starting point guard.
Otherwise, the Knicks also find their way into every trade discussion. They can deal Summer League sensation Kevin Knox as well as last year's pick Frank Ntilikina but is that base package enough to get either Wall or Beal?
Moreover, the Heat or Nuggets might call up wanting Beal or Wall. However, Nikola Jokic is too valuable and young for Denver to move. Do they have the assets to get another All-Star without moving him? The same goes for the Heat. The Wizards wouldn't want Hasaan Whiteside, no one wants Tyler Johnson's contract and Goran Dragic is the wrong side of thirty. The rest of Miami's lineup doesn't exactly scream value based on salary so a deal is unlikely.
Will Washington breakup their backcourt?
Ultimately, the Wizards best options is to let Beal and Wall play together another year. Both men are under contract for the foreseeable future and they will hope a health Wall helps them not take another step back this year.
On-the-court, these two have the unique skill sets that should compliment each other in the modern NBA. It is also hard to find trade value that offsets the comradeship these two should have since they have played together since 2012.
Additionally, the Raptors and Cavaliers turnover in the Eastern Conference might also leave an opportunity for Beal and Wall to ascend into the conference's elite this year. The Wizards' revamped roster featuring new veterans at key weaknesses which might help this duo take the next step.
Still, it may only take the right deal or early season struggles for Washington to green-light a trade with either of their All-Stars. Not to mention, Washington may pull the trigger on Wall or Beal to reset their chemistry if the two can't continue to grow their relationship in the right direction.
At the very least, a trade might come at the deadline if Washington isn't around the top of the East. Change could also come if the Wizards can't get out of the first round again with Beal and Wall healthy.
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