Report: Boston is potential destination for possible Bradley Beal trade request

Per Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Bradley Beal sweepstakes are about to heat up as soon as next week. With five days left before the NBA Draft, Fischer is reporting that Beal could make a trade request before July 29th with the Celtics as a possible destination:

Beal does not have a proverbial list of preferred destinations, but it was mentioned by multiple sources that he would welcome joining teams such as Boston, Golden State, Miami or Philadelphia—although Beal requesting a trade would all but guarantee an expansive bidding war across the league.

Beal recently opted out othe Tokyo Olympics after being put in the COVID protocol. His departure from Team USA obviously eliminates a once in a lifetime opportunity to play alongside longtime friend Jayson Tatum, but if these reports are true, a reunion could come as early as this summer.

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Newly minted President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens has already replaced Danny Ainge, traded Kemba Walker and Boston’s 2021 first round draft pick for Al Horford and Moses Brown, and hired Ime Udoka as head coach. Trading for last season’s Eastern Conference’s leading scorer would be even more franchise-altering. The big question is what a trade package would look like for Beal.

Beal is effectively a free agent next summer (with a $37 million player option for 2022-2023). Any offer would be heavily influenced by Beal’s willingness to re-sign with his new team. For Washington, Jaylen Brown becomes the obvious ask in any package for the three-time All-Star. Stevens could obviously counter with any combination of Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson, Evan Fournier (in a sign-and-trade), and future picks knowing that Beal could potentially just sign with the Celtics next summer.