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Washington Wizards rumors: No plans to trade John Wall

Washington Wizards rumors: John Wall trade
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards rumors: No plans to trade John Wall

Rumors have persisted over the past couple weeks that the Washington Wizards were engaging in trade talks with the Houston Rockets that would have sent Wall to Texas for Russell Westbrook. If these rumors had come to fruition, this trade would’ve been among the most financially-relevant in sports history.

Alas, it’s not to be. Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard noted on Monday that the team has no plans to trade Wall. The relationship between the oft-injured former All-Star and his organization seems to be good.

Wall, 30, has not suited up in an NBA game since Dec. 26 of 2018. If he is indeed on the court when the 2020-21 season starts late next month, it will be about two years since the five-time All-Star has played in a game.

Related: If you’re a fan of the Wizards, check out #WashWizards rumors, rankings, and news here

Even if Washington were to attempt a Wall trade, his Achilles injury coupled with a bloated four-year, $171.1 million contract would make that nearly impossible. For now, it appears that Washington wants to run it back with Wall and Bradley Beal.

If Wall somehow proves himself to be healthy, this could be a sneaky good team in 2020-21. Washington re-signed stretched forward Davis Bertans in free agency. It also got the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft in that of Israeli forward Deni Avdija.

Update: Nov. 23, 2:42 PM EST

Washington Wizards rumors: GM says Bradley Beal is not going anywhere

At a time on the NBA calendar that we’re seeing multiple big-name players moved, it sure looks like the Washington Wizards will not be trading star guard Bradley Beal. “Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard told reporters on Tuesday.

Most of the Beal speculation has been from the media. Washington’s brass has pushed back against the idea that the 27-year-old All-Star guard.

Despite it being a sellers market on the NBA trade front, there’s no reason to believers are going to change their tune. However, this could also be Sheppard’s way of upping the ante in a potential trade.

Beal averaged 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists on 46% shooting from the field last season. He opted out of the NBA restart in Orlando despite Washington boasting an outside shot of earning a playoff spot. That led to speculation that Beal might be moved.

Washington Wizards rumors: Bradley Beal will not be traded
Dec 6, 2019; Miami, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

If the Wizards do change course, they’d acquire a huge bounty in a trade. A lesser player in that of Jrue Holiday netted the New Orleans Pelicans three first-round picks and two pick swaps in addition to Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. Just imagine what Washington would acquire if it traded Beal. Alas, that seems unlikely.

Update: Nov. 5, 11:05 PM EST

Washington Wizards All-Star guard Bradley Beal has been among the most-potent scorers in the NBA over the past few years. This past season alone, Beal averaged north of 30 points per game. Unfortunately for the former lottery pick, his Wizards have remained largely irrelevant from a broader NBA perspective. It has led to rumors that a trade could be coming.

The Wizards’ brass continues to push back against said rumors, indicating at every turn that Beal figures into their long-term rebuild.

While that might very well remain the case, other rumors are now heating up suggesting that contending teams are looking to trade for Beal.

Washington Wizards rumors: Multiple teams still looking to trade for Bradley Beal

“The Wizards have shown no inclination to trade Beal, sources say, and might do so only if Beal — under contract through at least 2021-22 — indicates he would prefer to play elsewhere. Could that happen at the trade deadline if the Wizards are bad again?,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported recently. “Rivals are not giving up on Beal becoming available sooner. Multiple strong playoff teams have called teams in the top 10 of the draft, investigating what it would take to acquire those picks, sources have said. Do those teams love a certain prospect? Or are they seeking ammo for a big trade?”

That’s a million-dollar question. If the 27-year-old Beal attempts to force his way out of D.C., the Wizards might not have a choice when it comes to a trade.

Remember, Beal opted out of the remainder of the 2019-20 NBA season once it resumed in Orlando. He did so with the Wizards having an outside shot at earning a playoff spot. That led to renewed rumors about a potential trade.

How might a Bradley Beal trade look like for the Wizards?

Lowe specifically looked at the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks as being on both Beal and Pelicans star guard Jrue Holiday.

Related: Jrue Holiday trade rumors

If the Wizards were to trade Beal, it stands to reason that they’d want a combination of young players and draft picks. Brooklyn could make sense while dangling the likes of Caris LeVert and Jarett Allen in the Wizards’ direction.

Meanwhile, Golden State boasts the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected 2021 first-round pick. That’s just two options the Wizards might consider.

There’s also something to be said about rumors suggesting that the Wizards might dangle John Wall’s bloated contract in Beal trade talks as a way to rid them of that contract. Whether another team would take on the remainder of Wall’s four-year, $171.1 million deal is questionable.

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