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Los Angeles Clippers should explore a Bradley Beal trade

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 20: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots in front of Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 20: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots in front of Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers during the first half at Capital One Arena on November 20, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Bradley Beal and John Wall have been made available in trades by the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers might be a fit.

The Los Angeles Clippers have surprised many this season with one of the hottest starts in the NBA. While an 11-6 record is not a tremendously amazing record, it is much better than many anticipated thus far in the season, especially with who the team has played thus far.

This is extremely promising for the Los Angeles Clippers and the fans of the team. While this is a good collection of guys, this was not viewed as the year in which the team would make these kinds of moves.

With cap space for two superstars next summer, this season simply seemed to be a precursor for Jerry West‘s Clippers. Instead, it has become a year in which the team is a legitimate playoff contender.

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With that promise already being shown, the Clippers might be more willing to pull the trigger on a move to add a superstar this season. This would not only be the icing on the cake for the Clippers being a legitimately talented contender but would also be a nice luring piece for another star next summer.

On Tuesday, Clipper fans might have gotten a precursor in who the team could look to add.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Washington Wizards have made both Bradley Beal and John Wall available in trades. The Wizards are struggling this season and have come up short multiple times with Wall and Beal leading the way.

Wall is going to be the harder piece to deal as his massive contract extension kicks in after this year. The Clippers got rid of a massive contract in Blake Griffin, the last thing the front office wants to do is add another.

However, Bradley Beal, while it is no small contract, does not have an overwhelming contract by today’s terms and could be something that the Clippers can work around.

Beal is under contract for two more years after this season and is set to make an annual average salary of $27.9 million. That is hefty, but not restricting.

The Clippers have trade chips for the Wizards to be interested in as well. Jerome Robinson is a young piece that the Wizards could ask for as well as role players such as Avery Bradley.

I could see the Wizards taking a package of Robinson (a lottery selection), Bradley and an unprotected draft pick for Beal. The Clippers would also have to throw in one other smaller contract, such as Sindarious Thornwell, to make this work financially.

Either way, this gives the Clippers an extremely solid starting shooting guard that could really take over this team as the number one option on the court. The partnership of Beal and Harris could surprise a team or two in the playoffs.

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Then, with Harris potentially leaving, the Clippers can add Kawhi Leonard or potentially even Kevin Durant. There are still long-term questions at center, however, a super team lead by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Beal and Durant is one that can win the NBA Championship.

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