While a certain level of candor is appreciated from athletes, it is probably best to keep some details to oneself. Case in point, Washington Wizards guard and All-Star Bradley Beal and his team's roster plans.
Bradley Beal said he couldn't name names, but he was actively recruiting at the All-Star game for players to join him in D.C. with the Wizards. Some guys even came up to him and asked. If you have theories, let's hear them…
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) February 18, 2019
Due to the large contingent of superstars and franchise players, the All-Star Game is virtually a one-stop shop for players to actively recruit peers to jump ship if the opportunity presents itself – specifically during the summer and with unrestricted free agents when their respective franchises' are typically powerless to where they want to go.
Unfortunately, the practice of coaxing players to bolt is not only frowned upon but considered illegal and punishable by hefty penalties because of “tampering” rules which seek to prevent others (usually but not limited to upper management by opposing teams) from discussing would-be free agents and planting not-so-inadvertent seeds.
Still, that is not stopping most players from doing it as long as it is done discretely. Which is why Beal's mea culpa came as a surprise considering that it is a widely known offense in the midst of the fiasco surrounding the disgruntled New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers.
That said, it is not clear how successful Beal's pitch could have been, given that the team would need certain dominoes to fall for them to clear up cap space – namely, Jabari Parker leaving $20 million off the table or Dwight Howard risking free agency after a humdrum season rife with injuries and controversy.
Whoever the players Beal conversed with is of little consequence than the probable fine headed the former Florida Gators' way.
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