Texas Chuck wrote:I think you try and find that magic needle to thread where you can turn Beal and limited assets into bad contracts that fit better. But finding a team wanting to do that very thing that Beal will also agree to go to is likely impossible. But you have to try.
Other than that, send out KD to recruit old ring chasers and Booker to recruit guys with talent who have failed elsewhere who will play on one year min deals and hope you get a better mix this time.
Can't get better realistically trading KD so I strongly disagree they must do that.
I think there are 5 teams who make sense [to varying degrees] as Beal landing spots.
1) Los Angeles Lakers
2) Detroit Pistons
3) Chicago Bulls
4) Atlanta Hawks
5) Orlando Magic
RE Lakers: Beal would be in Hollywood, so waiving the NTC isn't a question. Dlo + Rui + Vincent [or Vando] gets to 46-47 Million. The Lakers have the defensive front-court with AD/LeBron to withstand Beal and his offense is more reliable than Dlo.
The question here is the $$$, and unfortunately is seems to fall short for the Lakers, who lose all meaningful depth.
RE Pistons: Beal probably doesn't waive his NTC here, but the Pistons could use a legitimate shot maker next to Cade in the back-court. The Ivey situation stays weird, but Stewart + Nothing gives the Phoenix Suns a massive TPE, so a 3-team deal needs to happen.
Probably too many loose ends here to identify the deal.
RE Bulls: If they love LaVine, roping Beal in a 3-team makes sense. Or, what about something like LaVine+Vuc+Carter for Beal+Nurk?
Bulls can roll out White/Caruso/Beal/DD/Nurk as a fun team vying for the play-in [again].
RE Hawks: If they move Trae, Beal is a nice back-court fit with Murray.
RE Magic: Beal gives them a legitimate 2nd option to Paolo. Their defense and size up and down the roster make Beal a good fit.
Is this the Gobert to Minnesota for the Orlando Magic?