Bradley Beal is considering requesting a trade from the Washington Wizards before Thursday’s draft. Beal is set to enter the final season of his existing contract with the Wizards.
“He knows he has to make a decision before the draft,” one source with direct knowledge of Beal’s thinking told Bleacher Report.
While Beal has been adamant he wants to remain with the Wizards, a second source described the situation as now fluid.
If Beal were to request a trade, he would want to end up with a team with an established winning environment. Beal doesn’t have a list of preferred destinations, but he would welcome a trade to the Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers.
“Beal’s the guy right now,” one assistant general manager said. “The one guy that could be available, that could help you win the whole thing.”
A trade during the week of the draft is helpful for all parties considering the known quantity of draft position as opposed to future picks.
“It’s just so much easier to make a deal when you know what the draft picks are, as opposed to future picks,” another high-ranking team official said.
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