Sato to CHI in sign and trade

[DCZards]

Basically, the Wizards have traded Sato at 3/30 for:

Ish Smith at 2/12
an extremely high 2020 pick (MEM or CHI)
we moved up with our 2022 pick (from LAL to CHI/DET)
our 2023 CHI pick top 31-36 protections removed.
a $9M TPE

That's a win.

It would have been a much bigger win if they didn't bother signing Ish Smith and just went with Isaiah Thomas at the vet minimum.

It would not have been a good idea to go into next season with Thomas as your only vet PG, especially given his recent injury history. But there are other experienced PGs I would have preferred to Ish...like Payton.

[Mojo Amok]

Generally speaking, I'm not crazy about classic floor general style point guards in 2019 and would prefer more of a combo-guard duo. As is, we have one of each in Ish and Thomas.

At the same time though, given the alarming number of youngsters at risk of choking on their Gerbers in a halfcourt set, there is a risk to bringing in a shooting point on a short term show me deal because they might show you by, you know, shooting too much. Thomas will almost surely do this if he's anywhere near back, but it's in a platoon situation. Having Ish with the single-mindedness to be an unselfish set up man and keep some aspects of Satoransky's strengths in the fold, which should help the youth get acclimated. A̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶f̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶u̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶l̶̶̶̶̶̶̶y̶̶̶̶̶̶̶,̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶w̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶h̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶v̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶S̶̶̶̶̶̶̶c̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶B̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶k̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶v̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶ ̶̶̶i̶̶̶n̶̶̶t̶̶̶r̶̶̶a̶̶̶c̶̶̶t̶̶̶i̶̶̶b̶̶̶l̶̶̶e̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶c̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶p̶̶̶̶̶̶̶l̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶w̶h̶i̶c̶h̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶v̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶c̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶̶̶̶̶m̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶o̶̶̶u̶̶̶r̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶f̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶v̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶f̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶c̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶n̶̶̶̶̶̶̶c̶̶̶̶̶̶̶i̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶s̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶t̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶l̶̶̶̶̶̶̶e̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶g̶̶̶̶̶̶̶u̶̶̶̶̶̶̶a̶̶̶̶̶̶̶r̶̶̶̶̶̶̶d̶̶̶̶̶̶̶.̶

Overall, the swing in value between just resigning Satoransky and what we did with Ish, Thomas, picks and shorter term salary commitments depends a lot on what the overall plan is. I assume the salary flexibility is a big part of it and as of now the postue looks consistent with a plan for either 2021 free agency or some sort of a trade next summer.

Elfrid Payton would have probably made more sense, but it's likely he preferred the Knicks with the certainty that he was the top point on the roster without the potential of being demoted in the latter parts of the season.

[Dat2U]

And you are slightly ignorant

A super-max can only be offered to a player who is re-signing with a team. And then only after they qualify for top honors playing with that squad. And then they can't be traded for a year after signing it. If Beal signs a super-max its because he absolutely wants to stay here for 5 years.

In addition to knowing his own self better than everyone, Beal knows far more about basketball and the business of basketball than you do. Every quote he has offered suggests he understands the position the team is in and he is willing to shoulder the load. This is a cat who seems like the sort to keep his word. If he feels like the team was not doing anything to win over the long haul, or had no direction, then okay maybe he'd want out. But he's only 25. He still has a solid career ahead of him. And he mentors kids for fun. Has played in international ball for team USA (U-16 then U-19) since he was a teen. This is his life. You think he doesn't see whats happening around him? The same way we are excited about the foundational moves being made, I fully expect he is excited and on board. We are adding good talent, and opportunities to make moves. IF he plans to be here over the long term then he has opportunity to help shape a team. By his coaching on the court, mentoring cats in practice and off court, and yeah due to his good relationship with the Front Office personnel. And the proven loyalty of the owner.

If I read it right Tommy has been given this offseason with the interim tab to see if he can drum up support and appreciation for the moves made as an audition. Players understand tryouts. Tommy is pretty much acing his tryout, given the chickenshxt he was given to work with. Nobody proven wanted the job and Tommy is saying: well let me show you how it is done. If you have to build a team on the cheap, with a house arrest bracelet of a supermax in rehab, this so far is a good smart way of doing it. Beal, who is on that team, gets to say, yeah I've got smart people working on this squad, they will find a way to win when the opportunity is there.

Beal may truly be the good soldier but it's a lot easier to play good soldier during the offseason when everyone's record is 0-0. This all comes down to the extension. If he doesn't take it, what do you do?

Next steps have to be executed thoughtfully and patiently.: If Beal doesn’t take the 3/$111M extension (could be for financial reasons and not necessarily bc he wants to leave) , I’d still play out the season and evaluate the worth of our young guys, and how Wall looks - he may get in a few games towards the end of season. I simply can’t envision them trading Beal without ever seeing him and Wall on the court one last time.

Next offseason we will potentially have a 2020 lotto pick + healthy Wall + the developing young guys (Rui, Bryant, Brown Jr, the Lakers kids) + Mahinmi and Dwight off the books. That’s when you go to Beal and have a frank discussion, lay out the future and how you plan to make moves to get to contention.

Then you offer Brad an extension - if he qualifies for the supermax then offer him that. If not, then I believe this time next year we can offer him a 4yr extension at 120% of his current salary, so 4yrs/$148M. He’ll either sign the extension, say he wants to stay but is waiting to sign a bigger deal, or tell you he’s not interested in staying longterm. If it’s the latter then I’m immediately drumming up a bidding war to see what we can get for Beal on the market in the 2020 summer.

The timing will be a bit tricky , because we can’t officially offer him the extension until after the 2020 draft (and ostensibly we’d be looking to get into the top 3 of that draft in a Beal trade) . So they’ll need to touch base with Beal’s camp at some point in late May/June and get a firm answer.

Either way I’m very confident in Tommy Sheppard handling the next 12-24 months, if indeed he’s the longterm President. Sheppard is close enough to Beal that I expect they will be able to have honest convos about Brad’s intentions with enough time in advance. We are gradually developing an asset base that can benefit us with or without Beal here, so if Brad is traded then we get a high-powered return and can just continue in that direction. If he commits longterm then we can start exploring roster options including the potential to move Wall.

So the goal is to have a frank discussion in a year?

About what? The teams he'd prefer to be traded to?

This is a fools game and just an exercise in kicking the can down the road it what's going to be an ugly ugly season.

Now if Beal doesn't lose it before then, someone shows a much higher ceiling than thought (Bryant, Troy or Rui) and the Wizards get really lucky in the draft .... then and only then could there be a pathway to not just making the playoffs.

Outside of that, we've just wasted another year of Beal's career, risk getting less in trade offers b/c he's now got one year left instead of two or even worse, risk a potential injury that could eliminate any trade options.

Your basically hedging on unrealistic scenarios in the hope's that Beal will want to stay.

If he doesn't sign the extension... I think the Wizards should not wait. There's no reward in waiting, only additional frustration and risks.

[DCZards]

Next steps have to be executed thoughtfully and patiently.: If Beal doesn’t take the 3/$111M extension (could be for financial reasons and not necessarily bc he wants to leave) , I’d still play out the season and evaluate the worth of our young guys, and how Wall looks - he may get in a few games towards the end of season. I simply can’t envision them trading Beal without ever seeing him and Wall on the court one last time.

Next offseason we will potentially have a 2020 lotto pick + healthy Wall + the developing young guys (Rui, Bryant, Brown Jr, the Lakers kids) + Mahinmi and Dwight off the books. That’s when you go to Beal and have a frank discussion, lay out the future and how you plan to make moves to get to contention.

Then you offer Brad an extension - if he qualifies for the supermax then offer him that. If not, then I believe this time next year we can offer him a 4yr extension at 120% of his current salary, so 4yrs/$148M. He’ll either sign the extension, say he wants to stay but is waiting to sign a bigger deal, or tell you he’s not interested in staying longterm. If it’s the latter then I’m immediately drumming up a bidding war to see what we can get for Beal on the market in the 2020 summer.

The timing will be a bit tricky , because we can’t officially offer him the extension until after the 2020 draft (and ostensibly we’d be looking to get into the top 3 of that draft in a Beal trade) . So they’ll need to touch base with Beal’s camp at some point in late May/June and get a firm answer.

Either way I’m very confident in Tommy Sheppard handling the next 12-24 months, if indeed he’s the longterm President. Sheppard is close enough to Beal that I expect they will be able to have honest convos about Brad’s intentions with enough time in advance. We are gradually developing an asset base that can benefit us with or without Beal here, so if Brad is traded then we get a high-powered return and can just continue in that direction. If he commits longterm then we can start exploring roster options including the potential to move Wall.

Well said...totally agree. Whether or not BB wants to stay in DC will depend, to a large degree, on the development of Rui, Bryant, Brown and Schofield, and how Wall looks when he returns.

If Beal and Wall play well together upon JW's return, Beal's commitment to a long-term deal might depend upon the Zards willingness to keep Wall on the roster as well.

[Illmatic12]

Beal may truly be the good soldier but it's a lot easier to play good soldier during the offseason when everyone's record is 0-0. This all comes down to the extension. If he doesn't take it, what do you do?

Next steps have to be executed thoughtfully and patiently.: If Beal doesn’t take the 3/$111M extension (could be for financial reasons and not necessarily bc he wants to leave) , I’d still play out the season and evaluate the worth of our young guys, and how Wall looks - he may get in a few games towards the end of season. I simply can’t envision them trading Beal without ever seeing him and Wall on the court one last time.

Next offseason we will potentially have a 2020 lotto pick + healthy Wall + the developing young guys (Rui, Bryant, Brown Jr, the Lakers kids) + Mahinmi and Dwight off the books. That’s when you go to Beal and have a frank discussion, lay out the future and how you plan to make moves to get to contention.

Then you offer Brad an extension - if he qualifies for the supermax then offer him that. If not, then I believe this time next year we can offer him a 4yr extension at 120% of his current salary, so 4yrs/$148M. He’ll either sign the extension, say he wants to stay but is waiting to sign a bigger deal, or tell you he’s not interested in staying longterm. If it’s the latter then I’m immediately drumming up a bidding war to see what we can get for Beal on the market in the 2020 summer.

The timing will be a bit tricky , because we can’t officially offer him the extension until after the 2020 draft (and ostensibly we’d be looking to get into the top 3 of that draft in a Beal trade) . So they’ll need to touch base with Beal’s camp at some point in late May/June and get a firm answer.

Either way I’m very confident in Tommy Sheppard handling the next 12-24 months, if indeed he’s the longterm President. Sheppard is close enough to Beal that I expect they will be able to have honest convos about Brad’s intentions with enough time in advance. We are gradually developing an asset base that can benefit us with or without Beal here, so if Brad is traded then we get a high-powered return and can just continue in that direction. If he commits longterm then we can start exploring roster options including the potential to move Wall.

So the goal is to have a frank discussion in a year?

About what? The teams he'd prefer to be traded to?

This is a fools game and just an exercise in kicking the can down the road it what's going to be an ugly ugly season.

Now if Beal doesn't lose it before then, someone shows a much higher ceiling than thought (Bryant, Troy or Rui) and the Wizards get really lucky in the draft .... then and only then could there be a pathway to not just making the playoffs.

Outside of that, we've just wasted another year of Beal's career, risk getting less in trade offers b/c he's now got one year left instead of two or even worse, risk a potential injury that could eliminate any trade options.

Your basically hedging on unrealistic scenarios in the hope's that Beal will want to stay.

If he doesn't sign the extension... I think the Wizards should not wait. There's no reward in waiting, only additional frustration and risks.

Based on WHAT WE KNOW NOW, what exactly did I state that is unrealistic? Idk if I can keep having this circular discussion... it's just pointless when multiple people keep pointing something out and it's not getting through.

Bradley Beal KNOWS what is going on. IF he wanted out he could have asked out by now! He is in communication with the FO , and he's fully aware that the team is in a tight bind until Wall recovers and some of these contracts come off the books.

The organization's actions are informed by Bradley Beal's expressed desire to be here and lead the franchise through a turnaround. If Beal's future goals change then the plan changes. They can meet with Beal at any time and check in with him to gauge his thoughts, it's not like Sheppard won't talk to him at all for the next 12 months.

[I_Like_Dirt]

Based on WHAT WE KNOW NOW, what exactly did I state that is unrealistic? Idk if I can keep having this circular discussion... it's just pointless when multiple people keep pointing something out and it's not getting through.

Bradley Beal KNOWS what is going on. IF he wanted out he could have asked out by now! He is in communication with the FO , and he's fully aware that the team is in a tight bind until Wall recovers and some of these contracts come off the books.

The organization's actions are informed by Bradley Beal's expressed desire to be here and lead the franchise through a turnaround. If Beal's future goals change then the plan changes. They can meet with Beal at any time and check in with him to gauge his thoughts, it's not like Sheppard won't talk to him at all for the next 12 months.

I will say, a few things that aren't necessarily accurate in the way you describe things.

(1) We don't actually know that Sheppard will be the long term person in charge. If he isn't, this can be a recipe for a disaster.

(2) We don't actually know that Beal is sure what he's going to do yet, either. He might be willing to wait it out now but change his mind if things go bad.

(3) Beal may have already tested the waters in asking out. We don't actually know that the trade demand of this past season wasn't Beal going about it in a way that he could deny it. Did Chris Paul ask for a trade this offseason or not? He denied it in the end but it sure seemed like he did and there were similar vibes there to the whole Beal situation.

(4) There is always a risk that things go south later on and there is no guarantee - in fact, it's less likely - that there would be a high powered return if that actually happens. The catch here is that we don't actually know if there's a high powered return available right now, either. There might not be. The idea that the Wizards shouldn't actually be seeking one out, though, is at the very least highly debatable.

I don't actually know what the best path forward is right now but I don't like the idea of completely ruling anything out. The Wizards aren't actually so good right now that they're in a position to dictate which directions they will or won't take. If Beal is particularly insistent on how the team builds moving forward, that might actually be all the more reason to move him. None of this is Beal's fault but it might also be worthwhile not to let sentiment get in the way of reality. Though personally, I'd like for the Wizards to show they can actually hire a good Pres/GM before they consider trading Beal, even if that's as simple as more formally hiring Sheppard. If the Wizards miss the playoffs this season and Wall doesn't play and it looks like he's going to be recovering (i.e. not 100%) for the following season, which seems like the most realistic prognosis at this point, keeping Beal around to finish 9th or 10th seems pointless, though less damaging overall with the altered lottery odds. The idea wouldn't be to trade Beal for the sake of making a trade, but to trade him because there was actually a solid offer that came up.

[Illmatic12]

Based on WHAT WE KNOW NOW, what exactly did I state that is unrealistic? Idk if I can keep having this circular discussion... it's just pointless when multiple people keep pointing something out and it's not getting through.

Bradley Beal KNOWS what is going on. IF he wanted out he could have asked out by now! He is in communication with the FO , and he's fully aware that the team is in a tight bind until Wall recovers and some of these contracts come off the books.

The organization's actions are informed by Bradley Beal's expressed desire to be here and lead the franchise through a turnaround. If Beal's future goals change then the plan changes. They can meet with Beal at any time and check in with him to gauge his thoughts, it's not like Sheppard won't talk to him at all for the next 12 months.

I will say, a few things that aren't necessarily accurate in the way you describe things.

(1) We don't actually know that Sheppard will be the long term person in charge. If he isn't, this can be a recipe for a disaster.

(2) We don't actually know that Beal is sure what he's going to do yet, either. He might be willing to wait it out now but change his mind if things go bad.

(3) Beal may have already tested the waters in asking out. We don't actually know that the trade demand of this past season wasn't Beal going about it in a way that he could deny it. Did Chris Paul ask for a trade this offseason or not? He denied it in the end but it sure seemed like he did and there were similar vibes there to the whole Beal situation.

(4) There is always a risk that things go south later on and there is no guarantee - in fact, it's less likely - that there would be a high powered return if that actually happens. The catch here is that we don't actually know if there's a high powered return available right now, either. There might not be. The idea that the Wizards shouldn't actually be seeking one out, though, is at the very least highly debatable.

I don't actually know what the best path forward is right now but I don't like the idea of completely ruling anything out. The Wizards aren't actually so good right now that they're in a position to dictate which directions they will or won't take. If Beal is particularly insistent on how the team builds moving forward, that might actually be all the more reason to move him. None of this is Beal's fault but it might also be worthwhile not to let sentiment get in the way of reality. Though personally, I'd like for the Wizards to show they can actually hire a good Pres/GM before they consider trading Beal, even if that's as simple as more formally hiring Sheppard. If the Wizards miss the playoffs this season and Wall doesn't play and it looks like he's going to be recovering (i.e. not 100%) for the following season, which seems like the most realistic prognosis at this point, keeping Beal around to finish 9th or 10th seems pointless, though less damaging overall with the altered lottery odds. The idea wouldn't be to trade Beal for the sake of making a trade, but to trade him because there was actually a solid offer that came up.

Good post, but a few points -

1) Ok, so forget about Sheppard in this equation. We know that Ted Leonsis has been communicating directly with Beal. If Brad wanted to make a trade request , he'd have a direct line to ownership to do so.

2) Washington has a ~12 month window to sign Beal to an early extension. If he can't make up his mind on signing an extension within that time , then the decision must be made for him. At a certain point he will have to either commit or he's out.

3) Players do this all the time . Heck, at one point Kobe asked out from the Lakers. All that matters is whether he signs an extension or not.. if we're building around Beal in 2023 ,who cares that he asked for a trade back in 2018 ?

4) What do you mean by things going south? Either he signs an extension and you retain him as an asset, or he doesn't and you trade him for a collection assets.

This is not about sentiment, it's about what's best for the longterm health of the franchise. The Wizards are in an abnormal situation to start a rebuild because they have $170M committed to a player whose health moving forward is currently an unknown. There are optimistic reports that John's injury isn't as damaging as previously thought , but regardless we have made a massive commitment to a player who's future value is uncertain. Imo it doesn't make sense to make a major franchise-shifting move at a time when there is so much instability surrounding the franchise.

When we get to the point where John is healthy enough to play, we will have a clearer idea of our options moving forward. Even if trading Beal ends up being the move , John's health will have an impact on what type of return we look for on the open market or choosing one team's trade package over another. Now is not the time. What if Wall bounces back strong and he can get another star to come play with him (ie we could S&T Beal to OKC for Paul George) ? What if willing trade partners surface for Wall over the next year? What if we land a top 2020 lottery pick that can improve the team right away? What if some of the young players on our team take leaps and develop into valuable players and/or trade chips?

Not to sound like Ted here, but by waiting 12 months we will have an exponentially greater amount of data which will help inform our decisions. Imo having that knowledge on how to move forward as a franchise outweighs whatever extra assets you think we might be losing by not trading Beal now.

[payitforward]

Everybody has something to say here that makes sense on its own terms, but overall I don't get this discussion. This team won 32 games last year. If we hadn't decided to make big changes this off season, what were we going to do next season? Were we going to improve? Why?

& if we did improve, were we going to head back to that lofty achievement of 49 wins & 3d place in the East? Once in 4 decades. Not to mention do that with Wall not playing? How about the following season? Were we supposed to assume that Wall would return at his absolute peak.

Obviously, this off season was the right time to start the process of changing the team -- deeply. Yes, we will keep Bradley Beal in the hope that he's young enough still to be the center around which these changes could take place. Yes, we will keep John Wall, because he's the face of the franchise, not someone you kick to the curb -- & anyway right now he can't be traded.

Other than that, once we traded Otto Porter the only two players on the team who were obvious candidates to figure in our future were Troy Brown & Thomas Bryant. Anyone else we kept it would be a matter of opportunism & short term tide-overs until we could replace them.

Given all that, how exactly were we to build a roster that wasn't going to be godawful next year? How were we going to acquire players that had proven anything in the league?

You can argue as I did & still would that Rui Hachimura wasn't the best choice at #9 & that it would have been better to trade down. But no one questions whether Rui has potential. & no one questions whether Admiral Schofield was a quality pick at #42. Justin Robinson looks like value as an undrafted signee as well.

The trade with LA was absolutely terrific. Or, who did you have in mind to acquire with that TPE? Letting Sato go was perfectly ok as well. Yes, it will make us worse this year, but Satoransky did not seem a likely candidate to figure in the next generation of the team.

As to IT, he's a veteran minimum guy who not long ago was good enough to play for big money & get traded for big-time players. If he is healthy & even approaches his old level he'll be very helpful next year.

So, what does it come down to? Disliking the fact that we signed Ish Smith for $6m a year for 2 years. That's it? Big deal.

[DCZards]

(2) We don't actually know that Beal is sure what he's going to do yet, either. He might be willing to wait it out now but change his mind if things go bad.

I agree there's really no way of knowing if Beal is committed to staying in DC for the long-term...despite what he currently says. He could have a change of mind.

(3) Beal may have already tested the waters in asking out. We don't actually know that the trade demand of this past season wasn't Beal going about it in a way that he could deny it. Did Chris Paul ask for a trade this offseason or not? He denied it in the end but it sure seemed like he did and there were similar vibes there to the whole Beal situation.

Not seeing at all the "similar vibes" between the Chris Paul situation and the Beal situation. Paul is on a winning team but reportedly asked for a trade because he was unhappy with the play calling, especially during the playoffs. Paul is said to have singled out the Rocket's over reliance on Harden's one-man game. Don't see now that's similar to the Beal situation.

(4) There is always a risk that things go south later on and there is no guarantee - in fact, it's less likely - that there would be a high powered return if that actually happens. The catch here is that we don't actually know if there's a high powered return available right now, either. There might not be. The idea that the Wizards shouldn't actually be seeking one out, though, is at the very least highly debatable.

I no others here disagree. But I don't think that what the Zards can get in a trade for Beal next year is a whole lot different from what they could get today. Maybe you could get slightly more today, but, assuming Beal continues to play at an all-star level, the Zards should be able to get a great haul for BB if they're forced to trade him next summer.

I don't actually know what the best path forward is right now but I don't like the idea of completely ruling anything out. The Wizards aren't actually so good right now that they're in a position to dictate which directions they will or won't take....

...If the Wizards miss the playoffs this season and Wall doesn't play and it looks like he's going to be recovering (i.e. not 100%) for the following season, which seems like the most realistic prognosis at this point, keeping Beal around to finish 9th or 10th seems pointless, though less damaging overall with the altered lottery odds. The idea wouldn't be to trade Beal for the sake of making a trade, but to trade him because there was actually a solid offer that came up.

No one on this board really knows for sure the best path forward, especially since we have very little of the information and insight that insiders like Shepherd and his staff should have. We might like to pretend that we do. But we really don't. So I totally agree with that statement.

But I assume that the Zards FO and Ted are not ruling out a trade for Beal if a great deal comes along. You'd think they would have to consider it.

However, I don't think it's pointless to keep Beal around knowing that this is not a playoff team next year...or maybe even the following year. But things can change fast in the NBA. No telling what this team will look like--or how good it could be--2-3 years from now. It would be nice to have a young, high character, all-NBA caliber player like Beal around to help lead that turn around.

[The Consiglieri]

As for as trading Beal, he's not signing an extension with this dumpster fire

Let me ask you. When figuring out what he's going to do" Should we believe you? or Bradley Beal.

He has said he has a great relationship with Tommy Sheppard. Has said he wants to be here. Has said he believes John is coming back and the two of them play well together and he is looking forward to it. Had the best year of his career last year while mentoring young players. Both Troy and Bryant cite him as their unquestioned best role model on how to play and a great help to them on and off the court. This is a multimillionaire who in his offseason mentors AAU players, bought a ST Louis based AAU team. He has said there are other considerations beyond money, and that he trusts Sheppard to turn the team around. He wanted Ernie gone, seemingly, and Ernie is gone. And instead of malcontent players he is getting more feisty hard working youngsters in his locker room. We have seen winning teams fall apart in bickering and unhappiness, but here he has family in the area, happy spouse, is a new dad, and every thing he posts is about loyalty and family etc. Here he likely has a career with the team after his playing days are over if he wants it. What makes you think you have a better insight into what he does than, say, Bradley Beal himself does. This is the guy who starts every interview thanking his higher being for direction and blessings, but your suspicion is that he is, what, lying about what he says he wants?

You are a bit naive. Beal almost always says the right thing but he also wants to win. Saying "I want to be here" doesn't mean he won't change his mind if the team doesn't put pieces around him and the organization f-cks around with hiring a GM for 3+ months. I would say the same thing but if somebody offers me the max or supermax in a much better situation or I could hang around because I like Tommy and the youngsters? Buh-bye.

+2.

I understand what Doc is saying, but I think a better idea is to look at players entering free agency in a short time and playing on a terrible team. How many stayed w/the terrible team? It's exceptionally rare, period, really in any sport. I do think that there's a chance he stays. He will be "The GUY," w/o question, Wall being irrelevant for 1.5-2 years will do that, especially when you add in the terrible look Wall had on the team in 2018, where basically players and plenty of fans felt the team as a whole consistently played better together w/o him than with him. Beal is The Guy here. If we get lucky in the lottery next year, and it ends up being a better draft than it sounds like for now (it does sound deep, just maybe not top heavy), that should make things interesting but he will be coming off back to back horror years where we probably win no more than 50-55 games tops and maybe a lot less out of 164 games. That gets old, and he's entering his prime. Does he want to risk his prime hear, or just move to a contender and build something special? History says he will leave. Sentiment and Beals own words say he'll stay. Remember when Kyrie said he'd be returning to Boston? How long did that last? I think Beal's a better guy than Kyrie period, definitely smarter (is Kyrie still a flat earther?!?!).

I just think we should operate w/our long term interests the focus. We shouldn't have Beal on the roster past next summer barring us getting super lottery luck, and even then we probably shouldn't. I understand some disagree, but I don't think it's smart to play with long shots, especially w/your most valuable trade assets when you're rock bottom. I'd keep him and hope for a Godfather offer by the deadline or next summer and then deal him. I think it's fool hardy to just hope he stays. We'll see.

[The Consiglieri]

You are a bit naive. Beal almost always says the right thing but he also wants to win. Saying "I want to be here" doesn't mean he won't change his mind if the team doesn't put pieces around him and the organization f-cks around with hiring a GM for 3+ months. I would say the same thing but if somebody offers me the max or supermax in a much better situation or I could hang around because I like Tommy and the youngsters? Buh-bye.

It's not naïve at all. We're operating under the assumption that Beal knows we are rebuilding. How exactly are we doing that by committing 10mil per year to a second string PG who we were no better with last year?

Huh? Never said anything about keeping a second-string point guard for 10 million a year. And if you think Beal is going to stay and that Beal/older-Achilles Wall is good enough to compete in the East, great. I don't think so. Not to beat Milwaukee, Philly, Boston and Toronto (if Kawhii is there). I like Beal and the fact that they are involving him as the leader of the team is fine. He's watching the workouts. Wonderful. He still has to make the best decision for himself and his family and why would he commit now to a team that hasn't committed to hiring a GM?

Its also worth noting that some franchises have banked such good will. Golden State, the ownership group of the LAC, Houston, Milwaukee, Toronto, maybe Boston until their plan blew up this offseason, our level of good will is sitting at a similar level to that of the Knicks, of Kings etc. We have none. We're a team w/a notoriously bad history going back decades, and no history of genuinely challenging for a conference title going back to the days of Jimmy Carter, literally multiple generations into the past. We have no good will. If he sticks w/us it will be for nebulous reasons, it won't be for concrete ones. Maybe he will, I have no idea, I just look at the history of players of Beals caliber entering their final season or final 2 seasons, and it's very rare that they sign away their prime to the team they've been on for years and years if there's as bad a situation in place and as poor a history as there is over here. I mean lets be honest here, the Nets and freaking Clippers have way way way more banked good will than us, and they've both been basketball abominations for much of NBA history.

However, who knows, we have his word to go on, as reported, and nobody knows whats in his heart and what matters to him. You never know. I'll just be very surprised and I don't want us to be humiliating ourselves, writing cheese fest 80's semi-parody songs a la Cleveland when LeBron left. We need to be ahead of the game, not just sitting there, desperately hoping he'll stay. Chess, not checkers, and waiting and hoping is checkers.

[Illmatic12]

It's not naïve at all. We're operating under the assumption that Beal knows we are rebuilding. How exactly are we doing that by committing 10mil per year to a second string PG who we were no better with last year?

Huh? Never said anything about keeping a second-string point guard for 10 million a year. And if you think Beal is going to stay and that Beal/older-Achilles Wall is good enough to compete in the East, great. I don't think so. Not to beat Milwaukee, Philly, Boston and Toronto (if Kawhii is there). I like Beal and the fact that they are involving him as the leader of the team is fine. He's watching the workouts. Wonderful. He still has to make the best decision for himself and his family and why would he commit now to a team that hasn't committed to hiring a GM?

Its also worth noting that some franchises have banked such good will. Golden State, the ownership group of the LAC, Houston, Milwaukee, Toronto, maybe Boston until their plan blew up this offseason, our level of good will is sitting at a similar level to that of the Knicks, of Kings etc. We have none. We're a team w/a notoriously bad history going back decades, and no history of genuinely challenging for a conference title going back to the days of Jimmy Carter, literally multiple generations into the past. We have no good will. If he sticks w/us it will be for nebulous reasons, it won't be for concrete ones. Maybe he will, I have no idea, I just look at the history of players of Beals caliber entering their final season or final 2 seasons, and it's very rare that they sign away their prime to the team they've been on for years and years if there's as bad a situation in place and as poor a history as there is over here. I mean lets be honest here, the Nets and freaking Clippers have way way way more banked good will than us, and they've both been basketball abominations for much of NBA history.

However, who knows, we have his word to go on, as reported, and nobody knows whats in his heart and what matters to him. You never know. I'll just be very surprised and I don't want us to be humiliating ourselves, writing cheese fest 80's semi-parody songs a la Cleveland when LeBron left. We need to be ahead of the game, not just sitting there, desperately hoping he'll stay. Chess, not checkers, and waiting and hoping is checkers.

They're gonna approach him this summer about an extension and we will find out what he says. It's that simple .
You don't skip steps. If there's any chance of getting him to sign an extension then the team needs to pursue that route first.

[The Consiglieri]

You are a bit naive. Beal almost always says the right thing but he also wants to win. Saying "I want to be here" doesn't mean he won't change his mind if the team doesn't put pieces around him and the organization f-cks around with hiring a GM for 3+ months. I would say the same thing but if somebody offers me the max or supermax in a much better situation or I could hang around because I like Tommy and the youngsters? Buh-bye.

And you are slightly ignorant

A super-max can only be offered to a player who is re-signing with a team. And then only after they qualify for top honors playing with that squad. And then they can't be traded for a year after signing it. If Beal signs a super-max its because he absolutely wants to stay here for 5 years.

In addition to knowing his own self better than everyone, Beal knows far more about basketball and the business of basketball than you do. Every quote he has offered suggests he understands the position the team is in and he is willing to shoulder the load. This is a cat who seems like the sort to keep his word. If he feels like the team was not doing anything to win over the long haul, or had no direction, then okay maybe he'd want out. But he's only 25. He still has a solid career ahead of him. And he mentors kids for fun. Has played in international ball for team USA (U-16 then U-19) since he was a teen. This is his life. You think he doesn't see whats happening around him? The same way we are excited about the foundational moves being made, I fully expect he is excited and on board. We are adding good talent, and opportunities to make moves. IF he plans to be here over the long term then he has opportunity to help shape a team. By his coaching on the court, mentoring cats in practice and off court, and yeah due to his good relationship with the Front Office personnel. And the proven loyalty of the owner.

If I read it right Tommy has been given this offseason with the interim tab to see if he can drum up support and appreciation for the moves made as an audition. Players understand tryouts. Tommy is pretty much acing his tryout, given the chickenshxt he was given to work with. Nobody proven wanted the job and Tommy is saying: well let me show you how it is done. If you have to build a team on the cheap, with a house arrest bracelet of a supermax in rehab, this so far is a good smart way of doing it. Beal, who is on that team, gets to say, yeah I've got smart people working on this squad, they will find a way to win when the opportunity is there.

Beal may truly be the good soldier but it's a lot easier to play good soldier during the offseason when everyone's record is 0-0. This all comes down to the extension. If he doesn't take it, what do you do?

And when Free Agency is two years away. Even Kyrie looked like a good soldier for a quarter of a second.

[DCZards]

Please, let’s stop comparing Brad to Kyrie.

[Dat2U]

I think the Wizards should pursue a similar type of S&T package for Delon Wright as Chicago did for Sato. Around 10-12 mil per for 3 years and throw Memphis a couple of 2nds. Delon, like Sato is long enough to slide over to the 3. Not quite the shooter Sato is but a more sudden decision maker who makes hard cuts to the rim as an off the ball threat as well.

[doclinkin]

Okay say we approach Beal with an extension and he says: “I want to re-up here, but want the opportunity to earn a SuperMax deal. I have faith in my game and if I play at that level the team will have success with me leading it”. Knowing that under the rules of a supermax Beal cannot be traded for a year after that deal.

What should the team’s response be?

“Ok, bye” ...?

I disagree with the notion that this team has proven faithless. The team may have betrayed fans but they have been overly loyal to their players. Consistently rewarding past performance regardless of how it projects into the future. We just recently were still paying Martell Webster. This team has also accommodated players who hoped to play elsewhere. Finding trades that were not egregious. Multiple past trades have found us with guys who wanted to play elsewhere and never suited up for us. In some cases we simply cut them early and took the hit.

Players who have shown loyalty here earn too large contracts. Otto, John, being the most recent example. That is what we complain about most. That we reward loyalty as if it were equivalent to all star level play.

But Beal for all that he is not a superstar is the consummate team player. An all star teammate. He is the template for what every team needs from its 2-guard and he can play next to any kind of player in the league.
He has earned whatever reward a player can get if they haven’t yet carried their team to a championship. If the market says that’s a supermax then that’s what he deserves.

Seems to me if Beal in particular says he wants to ink here, you take him at his word. And if he chooses to go elsewhere you find a sign and trade that works for him and you as well. We can pay him more than any other team. For longer. Other teams will still bid on Brad in a SuperMax deal after he plays here for a year.

I wouldn’t say this about every player. I loved Gil. But wouldn’t trust him not to have a wild hair and make a crazy choice that leaves us in the lurch. But Beal, on this team, with this history, I expect the team will take him at his word and he will be good with it. Be a man of faith.

What would sting more I think and drive a wedge would be if Brad saw the squad reward fragile Otto and emotional John and somehow good soldier Beal was not good enough?

Whatever panic the fans are in about fearing for the future, I don’t think that’s how this team is going to operate. You can cite all the other players you want and other teams, but that has not been this teams modus operandi under Ted. We reward the guys who say they want to stick with us. Too Early and too much even. But we do. Even to the extent of paying the luxury tax. I don’t think that part of the double bottom line has changed simply because lazy Ernie isn’t smoking cigars behind the chiefs desk.

[The Consiglieri]

That isn't what I'm talking about when I talk about good will. My examples were of F.O.'s that players believe are competent and well run organizations. We aren't one of those. The last time we were, I was in preschool (I'm 44). I'm sure players realize we overpay vets, and aren't backstabbers that might do a player wrong (say like Boston with Isaiah Thomas), but that only makes us a nice final contract to earn, not a place to give your prime too.

It's interesting, we just have people that want to believe Beal, and feel that until we see contrary evidence, we should, and people who've seen what players consistently do as free agents (test the waters, and usually leave for greener pastures, or stay if home is already the best pasture available).

Ilmatic's point about extension talks could potentially help solve it (though I have a hard time understanding why Beal would want to sign anything just yet and not keep his options open), but yeah, if he rejects any extensions for now, that definitely makes things interesting.

[nate33]

Read on Twitter

[FAH1223]

Read on Twitter

I’d have matched that shid. Screw Sato’s feelings.