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To Beal, or Not to Beal: Should the Boston Celtics Trade for Bradley Beal?

By Denholm Harold

WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 12: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on December 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  DECEMBER 12: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics on December 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 8: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game between the two teams on February 8, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  FEBRUARY 8: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game between the two teams on February 8, 2018 at Capital One Arena 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The case against a Beal trade

Trading for Bradley Beal is not a clear-cut move, it is fraught with risk, and is not something the Celts should pursue without seriously evaluating what the move could do for their chances at a title.

The case against trading for Bradley Beal has four primary components: Firstly, you will lose one of the Marcuses in the deal, they have the only “middle” salaries on the roster, and thus must be included in any package for a max player if Irving, Hayward and Horford are not included in the deal. Both Smart and Morris have played unbelievably well this season, both are shooting uncharacteristically well, and both are multi-positional defenders who unlock Boston’s switch-heavy defense.

Secondly, trading for Bradley Beal means almost completely shutting the door on Anthony Davis. Any deal for Beal will require a significant portion of the Celtics’ assets, including some of the four potential first round picks the C’s could be in line for this season. Making a deal for Davis after emptying a significant portion of the cupboard is still possible, but very unlikely.

A future Davis deal after acquiring Beal would then require either a combination of Hayward/Horford, Tatum, and whatever picks remain or Tatum, Morris/Smart, and a Rozier sign and trade; both scenarios are highly unlikely.

Thirdly, Beal’s health has been a major issue for several years, Beal himself is under the impression that his minutes would need to be monitored and restricted for the rest of his career if he is to maximize his playing time in the league. Beal has managed to stay reasonably healthy the last few years and his run of luck must continue if his impact is to be maximized.

Lastly, because of what I am calling: The Danny Granger effect. To those who don’t remember, Danny Granger was an All-Star and fan favorite of the Indiana Pacers during their lean years between Reggie Miller and Paul George. He was a stalwart on their roster, who was beloved by the city, and the team’s only source of hope for many years.

When Paul George cemented his place as the Alpha in Indianapolis, Granger gracefully stepped aside and assumed a mentoring role on the Pacers squad that looked to be the only legitimate threats to the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh-era Miami Heat.

Granger was dealt at the 2013-14 trade deadline to Philadelphia for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, and their chemistry promptly fell apart. George and the Pacers never quite got their mojo back, Turner was a horrendous fit on the Pacers who limped the rest of the season and never really challenged the Heat; the rest, as they say, is history.

Next. What to watch for in Celtics vs Heat. dark

Marcus Smart has a similar role and trajectory as Granger, whilst he isn’t the prolific scorer Granger was in his prime, his ability to guard almost every player in the league effectively, move the ball and make awe-inspiring hustle plays is crucial to what the Celtics do on both ends. Smart is the emotional leader of the Boston Celtics, and is absolutely invaluable to their team chemistry, it is for this reason more than any other, that the Celtics shouldn’t trade for Bradley Beal.

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