According to some NBA executives, the New Orleans Pelicans are the frontrunners to land Bradley Beal.
The New Orleans Pelicans could be the team to make a trade for Bradley Beal if and when the Wizards’ superstar guard becomes available.
This was first reported in the Ringer, who asked NBA executives about Bradley Beal:
"“This weekend, I asked 14 front office executives which teams come to mind as a sleeper for a blockbuster deal. Six of the executives responded with the Pelicans; three said the Heat; two said the Knicks; and the Mavericks, Nuggets, and Spurs each got one vote.”"
The New Orleans Pelicans have started the season 4-5, despite very strong play from Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Steven Adams.
The defense has been improved but the offense has been terrible, largely due to cold shooting from the bench and Lonzo Ball.
The Pelicans are ready to win now and have the assets to go after Beal, so what would a trade look like?
The Pelicans will obviously have to dig deep into their hoard of draft picks but who cares? They would still have picks in all of those years and they can only use so many rookies.
The question is not about draft picks, its about what combination of players the Wizards would want in return.
Do they want young prospects? Expiring contracts? As long as Zion or Ingram aren’t involved, the Pels should be willing to entertain any other combination of players.
Who would say no?
New Orleans Pelicans: Trading for Bradley Beal
Why the Wizards would do it
If the Wizards do decide to trade Bradley Beal, they will likely look to tear their roster down and rebuild completely.
It’s unclear what they would demand in trade but some combination of a young player with upside, some expiring money and a load of draft picks would probably be a starter.
No other team in the NBA has as enticing a package to put together as New Orleans, who can give the Wizards an exciting young player in Ball, an expiring deal and as many draft picks as they want.
The Pelicans might have to give them five, six 1st-rounders to make this happen, as the Wizards have plenty of leverage when you consider Beal’s age and production.
Given that he is only 27, is leading the league in scoring and still has years left on his deal, Beal is one of the best trade assets, if not the best, in the entire NBA.
The Wizards can hold out for a lot, but might be intrigued by the idea of adding Lonzo Ball to build around with Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija and a ton of draft picks.
The Wizards might be able to find a better deal but it’s unlikely, especially if the Pels were wiling throw in a 5th or even 6th draft pick.
New Orleans Pelicans: The Pels should put all assets on the table for Bradley Beal
As long as Zion or Ingram aren’t involved, which they never would be, then the Pelicans should do whatever they can to land Bradley Beal.
He is a superstar in his prime and the Pels would get almost all of his prime years. He fits perfectly with Zion, BI and Adams, as he gives the Pelicans the shot maker and scorer they currently lack.
Even though the Pels depth would be very thin, it already is, so it’s not as if it makes much difference at this point.
The Pelicans would likely have to add a veteran minimum contract or two, which may put them into the tax, but it would be well worth it for a guy who makes the Pelicans contenders now and for the near future.
Zion and Ingram are ready now, there is no reason to be patient when the Pels can add a superstar and speed up their timetable.
Beal is the type of player who would fit on any team and would undoubtedly make the Pelicans better and a contender in the Western Conference for the foreseeable future.
This is the trade the Pelicans should make happen, as superstars don’t come around often and they have the ammo to get it done.