That didn’t take long.
Just four days ago, it was reported that the Washington Wizards and three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal would work together on a trade. Come Sunday, it appeared that Beal would be on the move.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Wizards are finalizing a deal to send Beal to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, second-round picks and pick swaps. The Suns were reportedly planning on releasing Paul anyway and managed to turn him into Beal. If the trade goes through, Beal will join fellow All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix.
BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2023
But as the news broke on Sunday, fans had plenty of questions. Beal’s addition and Paul’s exit would leave an obvious void at point guard in Phoenix. And the Suns’ cap situation may also lead to Deandre Ayton being the next to leave Phoenix. Beal’s fit alongside Booker and Durant could also make for an odd dynamic.
Yet, the Wizards came away looking rough here. From the Wizards’ perspective, it was a confusingly low return for Beal even with his no-trade clause. Why was this what they agreed to?
As expected, fans had plenty of thoughts on the massive trade.
This was how Twitter reacted
The Suns now only have four players under guaranteed contracts:
Kevin Durant
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Deandre Ayton$161.5M total for those four and not much flexibility to make more changes.
The big question: Does Ayton get moved?
I’d bring back free agents TJ Warren, Josh… https://t.co/nUnXGTp1Ox
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 18, 2023
The suns bench: https://t.co/zjGTVz9Hdq pic.twitter.com/IBHpTCejtO
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) June 18, 2023
The Suns acquire Bradley Beal without giving up Deandre Ayton, who will now presumably be used in a separate trade to add much-needed depth around their superstar trio.
Suns are nowhere close to finished making big moves. https://t.co/DpstWULf3r
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 18, 2023
Washington Wizards replacing $46M Bradley Beal with $30M per year, 38 year old Chris Paul and no picks https://t.co/5DmRX27Wr5 pic.twitter.com/mXQ1ctqITN
— Russ' TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) June 18, 2023
The Suns bench: https://t.co/qr0kW1w0IC pic.twitter.com/21Ml7EPP3q
— Football (@BostonConnr) June 18, 2023
Elite asset mismanagement by Washington.
You can blame Tommy for the no-trade clause but ownership is the primary culprit for the strategic direction.
Instead of trading Beal 2-3 yrs ago and getting a huge return, mostly just salary dumped him and* lost that time on a rebuild. https://t.co/77qPQnDrwz
— Eric Shapiro (@eric_shap) June 18, 2023
I can’t believe that the Miami Heat offer was worse than this
I just can’t https://t.co/VO1Ai7jyRo
— JP – The Wholesome Truth Teller (@jay_pea619) June 18, 2023
This is most definitely up there as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history. https://t.co/Lqt6BpWFWt
— Vinay K. (@vkillem) June 18, 2023
I remain surprised the Wizards opted for the Suns’ offer over Miami’s, but that no-trade clause for Beal must’ve loomed large there. Now it’s a question of how the Suns round out the rest of their roster, and it feels like a Deandre Ayton trade is their best avenue to do so
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 18, 2023
Wizards: “Suns ain’t giving us enough for this trade”
Bradley Beal: pic.twitter.com/sGbizlkOEH
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 18, 2023
The Wizards are presumably getting a completely meaningless pick swap in 2024.
So they’re getting Chris Paul (who they’re presumably waiving), Landry Shamet, a 2026 pick swap and some seconds for Bradley Beal. Absolute franchise malpractice. https://t.co/FWxVdsokxw
— Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) June 18, 2023
No other NBA team should ever give a player a ‘No Trade Clause’ ever again.
Wizards didn’t even get a first round pick back lmaooo
— َ (@FeelLikeDrew) June 18, 2023
