2025-2026: Around the League

[MasterGMer]

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[KillMonger]

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it's funny how putting those team colored goggles on can warp reality......i see some laker fans actually thinking this move will make an impact and i'm sitting here like......the wizards just bought out this man......the wizards......that should tell you everything

[pepe1991]

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it's funny how putting those team colored goggles on can warp reality......i see some laker fans actually thinking this move will make an impact and i'm sitting here like......the wizards just bought out this man......the wizards......that should tell you everything

Wizards will lose pick if they fall out 8

[Knightro]

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it's funny how putting those team colored goggles on can warp reality......i see some laker fans actually thinking this move will make an impact and i'm sitting here like......the wizards just bought out this man......the wizards......that should tell you everything

Wizards will lose pick if they fall out 8

Wizards and Jazz are both incentivized to be very bad this year to keep their respective first round picks.

[drsd]

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The league needs to stop this in the next CBA. This is a work around for players to i) be WAY overpaid on ii) a team for a low tax cost for an organisation WAY over the lux tax+.

Here, Smart will be paid more than 26M and "cost" the Lakers only 6M in cap space. What a joke.

[JoshuaPotter]

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The legume needs to stop this in the next CBA. This is a work around for players to i) be WAY overpaid on ii) a team for a low tax cost for an organisation WAY over the lux tax+.

Here, Smart will be paid more than 26M and "cost" the Lakers only 6M in cap space. What a joke.

While I agree 100%. Isn't this the wizards fault? Not the Lakers?

Would we feel similar if he came here? Or does it become a "hate the game not the player" moment?

I do find it interesting that he is expected to clear waivers and then sign....that almost makes this deal seem preconstructed and that feels against the CBA?

[drsd]

While I agree 100%. Isn't this the wizards fault? Not the Lakers?

Would we feel similar if he came here? Or does it become a "hate the game not the player" moment?

I do find it interesting that he is expected to clear waivers and then sign....that almost makes this deal seem preconstructed and that feels against the CBA?

As tanking teams MUST get to a salary floor; said teams must overpay vets. But then they can waive these vets (keeping their cap hit = a bonus!), and the vet then becomes a super-cheap player for a contender. It's crap.

[orlando_joe]

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The legume needs to stop this in the next CBA. This is a work around for players to i) be WAY overpaid on ii) a team for a low tax cost for an organisation WAY over the lux tax+.

Here, Smart will be paid more than 26M and "cost" the Lakers only 6M in cap space. What a joke.

While I agree 100%. Isn't this the wizards fault? Not the Lakers?

Would we feel similar if he came here? Or does it become a "hate the game not the player" moment?

I do find it interesting that he is expected to clear waivers and then sign....that almost makes this deal seem preconstructed and that feels against the CBA?

beal is more crazy ...at least dl is hurt for yr and real chance never close to same ...it use to seem like washed players and hurt players only got waived

or players 12-15 on rooster making min

[Knightro]

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The league needs to stop this in the next CBA. This is a work around for players to i) be WAY overpaid on ii) a team for a low tax cost for an organisation WAY over the lux tax+.

Here, Smart will be paid more than 26M and "cost" the Lakers only 6M in cap space. What a joke.

Why are you anti players getting paid?

The players aren't doing anything wrong here.

[drsd]

Why are you anti players getting paid?

The players aren't doing anything wrong here.

I am:
i) anti players getting paid twice. (The new contract should come out of the old contract; perhaps with a small kicker boost).

ii) high income teams circumvented the spirit of the CBA but predatory behaviour on tanking teams. Who seems more than fine to comply.

[Knightro]

Why are you anti players getting paid?

The players aren't doing anything wrong here.

I am:
i) anti players getting paid twice.

ii) high income teams circumvented the spirit of the CBA but predatory behaviour on tanking teams. Who seems more than fine to comply.

How is it predatory behavior on tanking teams when they're the ones approaching the players about buying them out in the first place?

This is simply the nature of a league where salaries have to match in trades.

[JoshuaPotter]

Let's be honest, one of the real villains in the room is the salary floor. So long as a company is profitable. They'll have no problem paying someone "X" as an overpay to make the floor. The question becomes, is it an "untradeable" contract?

[Knightro]

The vast majority of buyouts come after teams acquire assets to take on a contract they don't actually want for a player who doesn't actually fit what they want to do moving forward.

The Wizards didn't *sign* Marcus Smart. Boston signed him four years ago.

The Wizards, however, did take on Smart's contract to acquire a 2025 1st round pick. They essentially rented their cap space for a year to get a 1st. And they got Smart to give up $7M in his buyout, so he actually isn't even getting "paid twice" next year in this case since he gave up more to be set free by Washington than he got from the Lakers.

The Wizards then flipped that 2025 1st they got for taking Smart's contract - which was 18th overall - for the 21st pick, the 43rd pick and two future 2nds.

And we're bemoaning the big market Lakers for predatory behavior against the Wizards? Give me a break. Smart might actually be washed up and the Wizards turned taking on essentially half of his remaining contract after the buyout into four draft picks.

Good business by Washington.

[pepe1991]

The vast majority of buyouts come after teams acquire assets to take on a contract they don't actually want for a player who doesn't actually fit what they want to do moving forward.

The Wizards didn't *sign* Marcus Smart. Boston signed him four years ago.

The Wizards, however, did take on Smart's contract to acquire a 2025 1st round pick. They essentially rented their cap space for a year to get a 1st. And they got Smart to give up $11.75M in his buyout, so he actually isn't even getting "paid twice" in this case since he gave up more to be set free by Washington than he got from the Lakers.

The Wizards then flipped that 2025 1st they got for taking Smart's contract - which was 18th overall - for the 21st pick, the 43rd pick and two future 2nds.

And we're bemoaning the big market Lakers for predatory behavior against the Wizards? Give me a break. Smart might actually be washed up and the Wizards turned taking on essentially half of his remaining contract after the buyout into four draft picks.

Good business by Washington.

I don't think it's a big deal, but it feels like fishing in muddy waters at verge of legality and famous "parity" that Silver is jerking off every night.

Smart played 15 games for Wizards.
Wizards had 33% win rate with him, 19% without him.

Smart had 3rd best net rating on Wizards and averaged solid +9 ppg on 56% TS.

Smart even today is best PG-SG Wizards had or will have next year ( not that it's that hard , they were historically awful team last year ).
You say he is maybe washed up. He is 31 years old. Was DPOY 3 years ago and was selected in all nba defensive teams 3 times. Two years ago he was starter on team that went to Eastern Conference finals .
Given age and context, and how much of an impact he had with Wizards when he did play, that doesn't sound like washed up player to me.


So Wizards are intentionally getting worst, to keep pick, without trade.

In same time, team without any logical way how to get him, gets him ( ofc, big market team) , without losing any asset in process.

Let's be real, one somewhat healthy and playable 2024-25 version of Marcus Smart on some Nuggets team would make difference between them and OKC winning title. Same with Brad Beal.

Brad Beal thing is even more annoying. Even "bad" Beal, was 17 ppg, 60% TS. What's really bad about him is his contract. Beal on $5,5M deal is apsolute steal. Guy makes Jett Howard money for Clippers and we talk about 3 times all star, career 23 ppg player in playoffs. At age of 31.

So yea, given context of age, and where they are as players, both being literally in their prime, age vise, those buyouts feel like unfair for rest of a league. You award player for no reason , he gets his money and handpicks team to sign for.

Margin for error on top contending team is so thin that one Smart, Beal can be difference between going to finals and losing in first round. Especially since neither Clippers nor Lakers had to sacrifice nothing to get them, and they cost literally salary of Jett Howard.
Should I even ask you , who would you rather have, Jett Howard or Brad Beal

I don't give a crap when really BAD or OLD players are bought out. Problem with this summer - Smart and Beal aren't bad nor old. One spent two years on tanking teams and naturally , missed lot of games due "injury" that always strikes bad teams. And other was literally 3rd best player on 49 wins team last year, but this year team collapsed due multiple reasons (including his salary that prevented team to get better ). In both cases we talk about players that were significant contributors to winning in past 2-3 years. And that's most problematic part.

[tiderulz]

The vast majority of buyouts come after teams acquire assets to take on a contract they don't actually want for a player who doesn't actually fit what they want to do moving forward.

The Wizards didn't *sign* Marcus Smart. Boston signed him four years ago.

The Wizards, however, did take on Smart's contract to acquire a 2025 1st round pick. They essentially rented their cap space for a year to get a 1st. And they got Smart to give up $11.75M in his buyout, so he actually isn't even getting "paid twice" in this case since he gave up more to be set free by Washington than he got from the Lakers.

The Wizards then flipped that 2025 1st they got for taking Smart's contract - which was 18th overall - for the 21st pick, the 43rd pick and two future 2nds.

And we're bemoaning the big market Lakers for predatory behavior against the Wizards? Give me a break. Smart might actually be washed up and the Wizards turned taking on essentially half of his remaining contract after the buyout into four draft picks.

Good business by Washington.

I don't think it's a big deal, but it feels like fishing in muddy waters at verge of legality and famous "parity" that Silver is jerking off every night.

Smart played 15 games for Wizards.
Wizards had 33% win rate with him, 19% without him.

Smart had 3rd best net rating on Wizards and averaged solid +9 ppg on 56% TS.

Smart even today is best PG-SG Wizards had or will have next year ( not that it's that hard , they were historically awful team last year ).
You say he is maybe washed up. He is 31 years old. Was DPOY 3 years ago and was selected in all nba defensive teams 3 times. Two years ago he was starter on team that went to Eastern Conference finals .
Given age and context, and how much of an impact he had with Wizards when he did play, that doesn't sound like washed up player to me.


So Wizards are intentionally getting worst, to keep pick, without trade.

In same time, team without any logical way how to get him, gets him ( ofc, big market team) , without losing any asset in process.

Let's be real, one somewhat healthy and playable 2024-25 version of Marcus Smart on some Nuggets team would make difference between them and OKC winning title. Same with Brad Beal.

Brad Beal thing is even more annoying. Even "bad" Beal, was 17 ppg, 60% TS. What's really bad about him is his contract. Beal on $5,5M deal is apsolute steal. Guy makes Jett Howard money for Clippers and we talk about 3 times all star, career 23 ppg player in playoffs. At age of 31.

So yea, given context of age, and where they are as players, both being literally in their prime, age vise, those buyouts feel like unfair for rest of a league. You award player for no reason , he gets his money and handpicks team to sign for.

Margin for error on top contending team is so thin that one Smart, Beal can be difference between going to finals and losing in first round. Especially since neither Clippers nor Lakers had to sacrifice nothing to get them, and they cost literally salary of Jett Howard.
Should I even ask you , who would you rather have, Jett Howard or Brad Beal

I don't give a crap when really BAD or OLD players are bought out. Problem with this summer - Smart and Beal aren't bad nor old. One spent two years on tanking teams and naturally , missed lot of games due "injury" that always strikes bad teams. And other was literally 3rd best player on 49 wins team last year, but this year team collapsed due multiple reasons (including his salary that prevented team to get better ). In both cases we talk about players that were significant contributors to winning in past 2-3 years. And that's most problematic part.

this seems strange and maybe my memory isnt right, but i thought i remember you not being a fan of Smart and calling him very overrated. now i see you call out him as DPOY and all-defensive player and that he isnt washed up

things like

And everybody's beloved Celtics players from past: Marcus Smart, Rozier, Theis, Rob Will, Crowder, Grant Williams etc- pretty much can't play serious basketball anywhere else.

We know for fact that Celtics simply overhyped Smart and held him for too long, and that probably costed them 1 more title.

Marcus Smart is probably poster boy of people overrating guard defense and justifying it by giving mythical attributes to player who's only offensive "strength" was highjacking offense due burning desire to prove himself something with hero ball shots. "leader, heart and soul, spiritual leader" ... In reality vastly overrated guard who without mythical aura, on Memphis, looks like third string scrub SG trying to hold onto nba job.

Remember days when people thought Marcus Smart is good at basketball and is "heart and soul" of Celtics?

Final exposure of Marcus Smart has been delightful.

Celtics without "leader" - 5-2

Memphis with "DPOY playmaker" 1-7.

44% FG
29% for 3
73% FTs

5 APG- 4 TO

It's almost like... you need to have some offensive talent to be guard in nba , especially if you don't have 2 -3 superstars behind you to cover for your inability to play offense?

[Knightro]

I was wondering if somebody was going to say it...

[Knightro]

I don't think it's a big deal, but it feels like fishing in muddy waters at verge of legality and famous "parity" that Silver is jerking off every night.

Smart played 15 games for Wizards.
Wizards had 33% win rate with him, 19% without him.

Smart had 3rd best net rating on Wizards and averaged solid +9 ppg on 56% TS.

Smart even today is best PG-SG Wizards had or will have next year ( not that it's that hard , they were historically awful team last year ).
You say he is maybe washed up. He is 31 years old. Was DPOY 3 years ago and was selected in all nba defensive teams 3 times. Two years ago he was starter on team that went to Eastern Conference finals .
Given age and context, and how much of an impact he had with Wizards when he did play, that doesn't sound like washed up player to me.


So Wizards are intentionally getting worst, to keep pick, without trade.

In same time, team without any logical way how to get him, gets him ( ofc, big market team) , without losing any asset in process.

Let's be real, one somewhat healthy and playable 2024-25 version of Marcus Smart on some Nuggets team would make difference between them and OKC winning title. Same with Brad Beal.

Brad Beal thing is even more annoying. Even "bad" Beal, was 17 ppg, 60% TS. What's really bad about him is his contract. Beal on $5,5M deal is apsolute steal. Guy makes Jett Howard money for Clippers and we talk about 3 times all star, career 23 ppg player in playoffs. At age of 31.

So yea, given context of age, and where they are as players, both being literally in their prime, age vise, those buyouts feel like unfair for rest of a league. You award player for no reason , he gets his money and handpicks team to sign for.

Margin for error on top contending team is so thin that one Smart, Beal can be difference between going to finals and losing in first round. Especially since neither Clippers nor Lakers had to sacrifice nothing to get them, and they cost literally salary of Jett Howard.
Should I even ask you , who would you rather have, Jett Howard or Brad Beal

I don't give a crap when really BAD or OLD players are bought out. Problem with this summer - Smart and Beal aren't bad nor old. One spent two years on tanking teams and naturally , missed lot of games due "injury" that always strikes bad teams. And other was literally 3rd best player on 49 wins team last year, but this year team collapsed due multiple reasons (including his salary that prevented team to get better ). In both cases we talk about players that were significant contributors to winning in past 2-3 years. And that's most problematic part.

You're also leaving out that the Wizards got a 1st round pick for taking on Smart's contract, which they then flipped into a first round pick just three picks later and three second round picks.

So in the end Washington got four draft picks for taking on Smart's $21M salary for 25-26. Then on top of that they got him to give back about $7M of the $21M he was owed for 25-26 too.

So they paid out the door about $14M dollars for four draft picks during a time period where they're not actively trying to win anyway.

That is good business by them.

That's what teams that are rebuilding are supposed to do. Leverage their cap space and the fact that their not trying to win immediately to add young, cost controlled assets on the margins by essentially renting their salary slots temporarily.

[pepe1991]

The vast majority of buyouts come after teams acquire assets to take on a contract they don't actually want for a player who doesn't actually fit what they want to do moving forward.

The Wizards didn't *sign* Marcus Smart. Boston signed him four years ago.

The Wizards, however, did take on Smart's contract to acquire a 2025 1st round pick. They essentially rented their cap space for a year to get a 1st. And they got Smart to give up $11.75M in his buyout, so he actually isn't even getting "paid twice" in this case since he gave up more to be set free by Washington than he got from the Lakers.

The Wizards then flipped that 2025 1st they got for taking Smart's contract - which was 18th overall - for the 21st pick, the 43rd pick and two future 2nds.

And we're bemoaning the big market Lakers for predatory behavior against the Wizards? Give me a break. Smart might actually be washed up and the Wizards turned taking on essentially half of his remaining contract after the buyout into four draft picks.

Good business by Washington.

I don't think it's a big deal, but it feels like fishing in muddy waters at verge of legality and famous "parity" that Silver is jerking off every night.

Smart played 15 games for Wizards.
Wizards had 33% win rate with him, 19% without him.

Smart had 3rd best net rating on Wizards and averaged solid +9 ppg on 56% TS.

Smart even today is best PG-SG Wizards had or will have next year ( not that it's that hard , they were historically awful team last year ).
You say he is maybe washed up. He is 31 years old. Was DPOY 3 years ago and was selected in all nba defensive teams 3 times. Two years ago he was starter on team that went to Eastern Conference finals .
Given age and context, and how much of an impact he had with Wizards when he did play, that doesn't sound like washed up player to me.


So Wizards are intentionally getting worst, to keep pick, without trade.

In same time, team without any logical way how to get him, gets him ( ofc, big market team) , without losing any asset in process.

Let's be real, one somewhat healthy and playable 2024-25 version of Marcus Smart on some Nuggets team would make difference between them and OKC winning title. Same with Brad Beal.

Brad Beal thing is even more annoying. Even "bad" Beal, was 17 ppg, 60% TS. What's really bad about him is his contract. Beal on $5,5M deal is apsolute steal. Guy makes Jett Howard money for Clippers and we talk about 3 times all star, career 23 ppg player in playoffs. At age of 31.

So yea, given context of age, and where they are as players, both being literally in their prime, age vise, those buyouts feel like unfair for rest of a league. You award player for no reason , he gets his money and handpicks team to sign for.

Margin for error on top contending team is so thin that one Smart, Beal can be difference between going to finals and losing in first round. Especially since neither Clippers nor Lakers had to sacrifice nothing to get them, and they cost literally salary of Jett Howard.
Should I even ask you , who would you rather have, Jett Howard or Brad Beal

I don't give a crap when really BAD or OLD players are bought out. Problem with this summer - Smart and Beal aren't bad nor old. One spent two years on tanking teams and naturally , missed lot of games due "injury" that always strikes bad teams. And other was literally 3rd best player on 49 wins team last year, but this year team collapsed due multiple reasons (including his salary that prevented team to get better ). In both cases we talk about players that were significant contributors to winning in past 2-3 years. And that's most problematic part.

this seems strange and maybe my memory isnt right, but i thought i remember you not being a fan of Smart and calling him very overrated. now i see you call out him as DPOY and all-defensive player and that he isnt washed up

things like

And everybody's beloved Celtics players from past: Marcus Smart, Rozier, Theis, Rob Will, Crowder, Grant Williams etc- pretty much can't play serious basketball anywhere else.

We know for fact that Celtics simply overhyped Smart and held him for too long, and that probably costed them 1 more title.

Marcus Smart is probably poster boy of people overrating guard defense and justifying it by giving mythical attributes to player who's only offensive "strength" was highjacking offense due burning desire to prove himself something with hero ball shots. "leader, heart and soul, spiritual leader" ... In reality vastly overrated guard who without mythical aura, on Memphis, looks like third string scrub SG trying to hold onto nba job.

Remember days when people thought Marcus Smart is good at basketball and is "heart and soul" of Celtics?

Final exposure of Marcus Smart has been delightful.

Celtics without "leader" - 5-2

Memphis with "DPOY playmaker" 1-7.

44% FG
29% for 3
73% FTs

5 APG- 4 TO

It's almost like... you need to have some offensive talent to be guard in nba , especially if you don't have 2 -3 superstars behind you to cover for your inability to play offense?

My personal negative opinion about Smart as guy who makes $20M a year and is starter who takes "clutch " shots away from elite players never changed.
But that's not a point.

Point is, when you get former DPOY, several times all nba first team guy on freaking $5,5M contract on handpicked team that desired team doesn't even have to trade for, rather just adds him to empty roster space, than you have problem with parity.

Bub,Kyshawn, Brahim , McCullum. That's Wizards guard lineup. Healthy Smart is way better than any of them. And only 31 years old.

Same thing with Beal. Beal wasn't terrible at basketball. Context matters. Bradley Beal on $53M is cyanide. Brad Beal on Jett Howard salary is bargain.

[Knightro]

My personal negative opinion about Smart as guy who makes $20M a year and is starter who takes "clutch " shots away from elite players never changed.
But that's not a point.

Point is, when you get former DPOY, several times all nba first team guy on freaking $5,5M contract on handpicked team that desired team doesn't even have to trade for, rather just adds him to empty roster space, than you have problem with parity.

Bub,Kyshawn, Brahim , McCullum. That's Wizards guard lineup. Healthy Smart is way better than any of them. And only 31 years old.

Same thing with Beal. Beal wasn't terrible at basketball. Context matters. Bradley Beal on $53M is cyanide. Brad Beal on Jett Howard salary is bargain.

Marcus Smart has only been able to play 54 games the last two years combined. And for 1.5 of those seasons he was on Memphis who absolutely was trying to win and wanted him to play.

Washington never acquired him under the guise he would play meaningful minutes for them. They acquired him because Memphis was willing to give up a 1st round pick to get him off their books for 2025-2026. Nothing more than that.

This is standard operating procedure around the league.

Memphis needed to clear cap space, so they attached a pick to Smart to dump his contract.

The Wizards had the cap space to take on Smart and aren't actively trying to win, so they took an unwanted player and turned him into four picks and saved $7M on his buyout.

The Lakers get a guy they believe can help them as a free agent.

It feels like a win for all three franchises to me. Everyone got what they wanted out of it.

[tiderulz]

I don't think it's a big deal, but it feels like fishing in muddy waters at verge of legality and famous "parity" that Silver is jerking off every night.

Smart played 15 games for Wizards.
Wizards had 33% win rate with him, 19% without him.

Smart had 3rd best net rating on Wizards and averaged solid +9 ppg on 56% TS.

Smart even today is best PG-SG Wizards had or will have next year ( not that it's that hard , they were historically awful team last year ).
You say he is maybe washed up. He is 31 years old. Was DPOY 3 years ago and was selected in all nba defensive teams 3 times. Two years ago he was starter on team that went to Eastern Conference finals .
Given age and context, and how much of an impact he had with Wizards when he did play, that doesn't sound like washed up player to me.


So Wizards are intentionally getting worst, to keep pick, without trade.

In same time, team without any logical way how to get him, gets him ( ofc, big market team) , without losing any asset in process.

Let's be real, one somewhat healthy and playable 2024-25 version of Marcus Smart on some Nuggets team would make difference between them and OKC winning title. Same with Brad Beal.

Brad Beal thing is even more annoying. Even "bad" Beal, was 17 ppg, 60% TS. What's really bad about him is his contract. Beal on $5,5M deal is apsolute steal. Guy makes Jett Howard money for Clippers and we talk about 3 times all star, career 23 ppg player in playoffs. At age of 31.

So yea, given context of age, and where they are as players, both being literally in their prime, age vise, those buyouts feel like unfair for rest of a league. You award player for no reason , he gets his money and handpicks team to sign for.

Margin for error on top contending team is so thin that one Smart, Beal can be difference between going to finals and losing in first round. Especially since neither Clippers nor Lakers had to sacrifice nothing to get them, and they cost literally salary of Jett Howard.
Should I even ask you , who would you rather have, Jett Howard or Brad Beal

I don't give a crap when really BAD or OLD players are bought out. Problem with this summer - Smart and Beal aren't bad nor old. One spent two years on tanking teams and naturally , missed lot of games due "injury" that always strikes bad teams. And other was literally 3rd best player on 49 wins team last year, but this year team collapsed due multiple reasons (including his salary that prevented team to get better ). In both cases we talk about players that were significant contributors to winning in past 2-3 years. And that's most problematic part.

this seems strange and maybe my memory isnt right, but i thought i remember you not being a fan of Smart and calling him very overrated. now i see you call out him as DPOY and all-defensive player and that he isnt washed up

things like

And everybody's beloved Celtics players from past: Marcus Smart, Rozier, Theis, Rob Will, Crowder, Grant Williams etc- pretty much can't play serious basketball anywhere else.

We know for fact that Celtics simply overhyped Smart and held him for too long, and that probably costed them 1 more title.

Marcus Smart is probably poster boy of people overrating guard defense and justifying it by giving mythical attributes to player who's only offensive "strength" was highjacking offense due burning desire to prove himself something with hero ball shots. "leader, heart and soul, spiritual leader" ... In reality vastly overrated guard who without mythical aura, on Memphis, looks like third string scrub SG trying to hold onto nba job.

Remember days when people thought Marcus Smart is good at basketball and is "heart and soul" of Celtics?

Final exposure of Marcus Smart has been delightful.

Celtics without "leader" - 5-2

Memphis with "DPOY playmaker" 1-7.

44% FG
29% for 3
73% FTs

5 APG- 4 TO

It's almost like... you need to have some offensive talent to be guard in nba , especially if you don't have 2 -3 superstars behind you to cover for your inability to play offense?

My personal negative opinion about Smart as guy who makes $20M a year and is starter who takes "clutch " shots away from elite players never changed.
But that's not a point.

Point is, when you get former DPOY, several times all nba first team guy on freaking $5,5M contract on handpicked team that desired team doesn't even have to trade for, rather just adds him to empty roster space, than you have problem with parity.

Bub,Kyshawn, Brahim , McCullum. That's Wizards guard lineup. Healthy Smart is way better than any of them. And only 31 years old.

Same thing with Beal. Beal wasn't terrible at basketball. Context matters. Bradley Beal on $53M is cyanide. Brad Beal on Jett Howard salary is bargain.

buyouts and players moving happen. But using your own words, he is older, overrated guard defense, and cant play serious basketball anymore, then him going to LA doesnt move the needle much.