The possibility of the New York Knicks acquiring Washington Wizards guard had some NBA executives speculating that any team that does trade for Beal would have to pay a steep price for him.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News looked at the possibility of the improving Knicks making a bid for Beal, but points out that the cost would likely rival last month’s deal for James Harden by the Brooklyn Nets.
“Three different executives, who spoke to the News, defined the price as steep,” Bondy wrote. “One longtime GM laid it out specifically: three unprotected first-rounders, two pick swaps, a young player and an expiring contract. That’s approaching Harden territory. The Nets, as the News reported, had internally discussed acquiring Beal long before exhausting their assets for Harden.”
The 27-year-old Beal is in his ninth NBA season and is currently leading the NBA in points per game this season, currently averaging 32.8 points per game.
The 6-16 Wizards have been plagued by poor play and also were forced off the court for six games last month due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Despite that status, the Wizards reportedly feel that they have no plans to trade Beal, while the superstar guard apparently doesn’t want to be traded.
The Knicks do have five first-round picks over the next three years, including a pair from the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal. Whether or not the Knicks choose to pull the trigger on a potential trade for Beal remains to be seen, but it’s something that will be watched closely in the weeks ahead.
