The Sacramento Kings are reportedly interested in a trade for Bradley Beal. The Californian franchise has already started contacts with the Washington Wizards.
Unlike most players around the league who have minimal say in where they’re traded to, Beal holds the league’s only no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he would have to give his approval before any trade happened.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the 29-year-old winger considers Sacramento an interesting destination. This is essential for the deal’s viability because the star’s contract allows him the right to veto a trade.
In 2022/23, the Californian team was the great surprise of the Western Conference. After all, it ended the regular season in third place. However, the Kings fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors.
As for the Wizards, the franchise has hired Michael Winger as president. The executive, by the way, will have carte blanche to make the necessary changes in the team. Franchise owner Ted Leonsis would not be against rebuilding the team.
Charania reported that the star’s exit is practically certain, if the Wizards opt for a deep roster overhaul for 2023/24. Moreover, Charania pointed out the Miami Heat as a favourite in an eventual negotiation.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, assured that the new Wizards president, Michael Winger, and Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, have already started conversations. He also claims that the executive is inclined to reformulate the cast.
In the last five years, the Washington team only went to the playoffs in 2021, when they fell in the first round. Now, with a new command, the expectation is for changes.
However, the Wizards market promises to be busy in the coming months. Two references in the team, Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma should be unrestricted free agents. Therefore, they can give up the last contract and thus leave the team without compensation.
