The Golden State Warriors have the No. 7 and 14 picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, and there have been plenty of rumors about them trying to swing for a proven star using those picks. One of those stars is Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, especially after the rumblings that he has been seriously mulling his future in the nation's capital in recent weeks.
However, as draft day arrives, it sure doesn't look like Beal is going anywhere. Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said Wednesday Beal hasn't requested a trade, and the Warriors are currently operating as if he won't be available before they make their two lottery picks.
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Via Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle:
But the longer Beal goes without requesting a trade, the less likely the Wizards are to orchestrate a deal involving him by Thursday evening. A league source told The Chronicle on Wednesday morning that the Warriors’ decision-makers don’t expect a Beal trade — to them or anyone else — before they must make their two lottery picks.
The Warriors could offer an intriguing package for Beal if he asks out or the Wizards see the writing on the wall and decide to rebuild. In addition to the lottery picks, Golden State can dangle young big man James Wiseman and Andrew Wiggins, plus whatever else Washington is looking for.
The Bradley Beal rumors have been swirling for some time now, but perhaps the push to reach the play-in tournament reinvigorated the guard and the franchise. Beal wants to win, and maybe he thinks there's a better chance to do it now in Washington.
Whatever Beal is thinking, it doesn't seem like there will be a trade right now unless he drops a bomb on the Wizards on draft night. The Warriors will either need to move on to other trade options or just be prepared to make their picks.
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