You play GM: Decide the fate of the Toronto Raptors offseason
Bradley Beal
After years of underachieving, the Washington Wizards should be ready for the inevitable rebuild. For now, they’re posturing as if they won’t trade Bradley Beal, although a new GM/President of Basketball Operations may have another agenda.
Will they want to start the full-fledged rebuild now? It makes sense. Washington is not going to be good next year regardless, his job security will never be higher, and Bradley Beal is the only valuable asset this team has.
It’s never easy to trade away your best player, but it’s the move which makes the most sense for Washington right now.
So what can the Raptors offer up? The negotiation starts with OG Anunoby.
OG Anunoby is a talented young player with an extremely high ceiling. Giving him up, particularly after a down year when his value has dropped a bit, hurts, but it’s the only choice the Raptors have.
If you want to get All-Star quality players, you have to be willing to give up real value. Toronto can’t make a competitive offer without OG.
But that’s not all Toronto will have to trade. Bradley Beal averaged more than 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game last year. The Wizards aren’t going to give Beal away for one B-level prospect. The Raptors will need to give up the farm:
Note: Technically, OG Anunoby will be dealt into the Wizards $5.45 million trade exception as a simultaneous, separate trade.
Why it makes sense for the Wizards
- OG Anunoby – Best young asset Toronto has
- Serge Ibaka – Expiring contract, needed for salary matching purposes. Wizards would be able to flip for an additional asset if they’re willing to take on money in additional years.
- 2020 1st round pick – Would need to be traded after the 2019 draft
- 2022 1st round pick – Unprotected. This pick could become valuable if Kawhi decides to sign a short-term deal with the Raptors. 2022 is projected to be the league’s first year with eligible high school prospects, making the pick more valuable than typical years.
- 2023 1st round swap rights – Another dagger for good measure. Washington will try to extrapolate additional swap rights, like the Pelicans did in the Anthony Davis deal.
- Fred VanVleet – There is a possibility, if Toronto is able to throw in more draft capital, that this is Norman Powell instead. However, the cost for 25-year-old talents like Beal rarely become available. If the Wizards really push for VanVleet, they’ll probably get him.
But does this make sense for the Raptors? You decide.