Phoenix Suns Strike Gold

All-star guard Bradley Beal was traded from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

In exchange for Beal, the Wizards received Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and multiple second-round picks and second-round pick swaps.

Phoenix Suns- A

Incoming Assets- Bradley Beal, Jordan Goodwin, Isaiah Todd

This trade was a massive win for the Phoenix Suns.

After the debacle surrounding Chris Paul, seeing the Suns turn an awkward situation into something like this is astounding. For context, Paul was reportedly waived on June 7 but wasn’t.

With Beal joining the Suns, they will have one of the most potent offenses in the league.

This season, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker averaged the 8th most and 11th most points per game in the NBA, respectively. While Beal doesn’t have the same scoring prowess as his two new teammates, he still averaged the 31st most points in the NBA.

Along with acquiring Beal from this trade, the Suns notably did not have to give up Deandre Ayton. While Ayton has had his troubles in Phoenix, things may be on the up for him, as the Suns fired head coach Monty Williams, who did not have a good relationship with Ayton.

The only downside in this trade for Phoenix is the potential amount of second-rounder picks they gave up. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Suns gave up six future second-round picks in the deal for Beal.

While second-round picks aren’t that valuable in the NBA, it leaves Phoenix with very little room to grow through the NBA draft. From now until 2029, the Suns will have four total picks in the NBA draft compared to the 14 potential picks they could have.

Despite this, the additions of Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd will counteract the loss of second-round picks, at least to some degree.

While Todd saw little playing time for the Wizards this season, only appearing in six games, Goodwin was a valuable rotation piece for the Wizards. Goodwin appeared in 62 games while averaging 17.8 minutes per game.

With Goodwin and Todd now on the Suns, it interestingly bolsters the team’s roster. Both players add depth to a team that can’t effectively add players through the draft and can’t build it through free agency, as the NBA introduced new rules regarding signing players this season.

Although the Suns mortgaged a considerable amount of second-round picks, this trade was still a win for the Suns. Acquiring Beal at a low price without giving up Ayton will make the Suns a force to be reckoned with heading into the 2023-24 NBA season.

Washington Wizards- C

Incoming Assets- Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, four future second-round picks, two future second-round pick swaps

It’s challenging to give the Wizards a poor grade on this trade.

While the assets they received for Beal were undoubtedly shallow, it’s important to note that Beal had a no-trade clause in his contract, meaning Beal could veto any deal trading him to another team.

As a result of his no-trade clause, it put the Wizards in a position where they were powerless. Beal would have to be dealt to the team of his choosing for the assets he deemed fit.

For the Wizards, this trade marks the start of a total rebuild for the team.

Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma, both top contributors for the Wizards this season, have player options ahead of this off-season’s free agency. With Kuzma already opting out of his deal and Beal dealt to Phoenix, it’s likely Porzingis will also opt out of his contract.

Although Porzingis and Kuzma could leave the Wizards for nothing, the Wizards still have bird rights over both of them. The Wizards can still offer them large contracts and trade them for assets.

Despite their small return, this trade will still blossom into more assets for the Wizards.

It’s already been reported that the team will shop Paul this off-season, with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers as favorites to be Paul’s suitors in the event of a trade.

Losing Goodwin and Todd in this deal adds insult to injury in this trade for the Wizards.

Having to include two young players in a trade where it’s already lopsided in favor of the Suns, excluding these two is horrendous. However, this could link back to Beal’s no-trade clause. Perhaps Beal wanted Goodwin and Todd sent to Phoenix with him and wouldn’t accept a deal not including them.

Ultimately, this trade will have a lasting effect on the NBA. Due to Beal’s no-trade clause, the little return the Wizards received does not help start their rebuild. It’s unlikely an NBA General Manager will offer a no-trade clause to a player due to this for the proceeding future.