2021-2022 ROSTER TALK: [ARCHIVED]

[DanSchwartzgan]

Beal basically has a lot of leverage, as he has the player option (no realistic way for Mavs to sign him if he opts out). So he can go to Wizards and say trade me to Dallas or I opt out and walk. Beal wouldn't lose a lot if he opts in and signs max extension with Dallas. 

If Beal says it clearly he is not staying with Wizards, the deal should not be that difficult to do, as Wizards don't have a lot of leverage. His peak price was a season ago. They can still command a hefty return, but I think it could be within Dallas possibilities, especially because he has so much leverage.

Brunson would need to agree to go to Wizards and that is likely the cleanest way to do it. It is easy to match the salaries from there and no contract should be a show stopper for a deal like this. I can't imagine how Luka-Beal-Brunson could work due to their defensive limitations, but Beal is arguably much better than Brunson. I can't comment on Beals locker room effect, this is something Mavs would/could/should know, we can only guess.

I thought about ignoring the rumor as too improbable.  I can see Beal thinking that Dallas provides him a good opportunity to win.  His most recent comments seem to indicate his belief that winning can happen with the Wiz is waning.  There is a ready-made slot for him if Brunson is leaving.  The other thing that is interesting to me is the numbers are so large that BYC is easily overcome.  In fact, it can be as easy as Brunson + THJ and some picks and both sides of the deal work without a third team.

Washington certainly needs a PG, so there is that.  The biggest question to me is whether Brunson will play along and go to DC.  Maybe they money whip him.  I used $25 as a starting number.  Outgoing is $32.1 with THJ, which is within the 125% rule on Beal's $36.4mm.  Incoming to Washington is $44.6mm which is also within the rule going the other way.  Pretending for a moment this is the least bit real, Brunson and THJ aren't exactly dog meat.  What kind of draft capital goes to Washington in such a deal (if any)?