Bradley Beal has been one of the long list of star names that have been linked to the Boston Celtics since the “rebuilding era” has began under Brad Stevens. Today, the Hou-Donny creates the perfect deal to land him.
Whether it was Paul George, Demarcus Cousins, or Jimmy Butler, basically every star-but-not-superstar linked to being unhappy with their current team have had Boston Celtics rumors over their heads at one point or another. Bradley Beal however, has always been one of the more realistic options. Here is how the Cs could make a splash in the off-season and sign the star out of Washington:
The Trade:
"Boston Celtics receive: Bradley Beal Washington receives: Gordon Hayward, Three 2020 first-round picks (#14, #26, #30), Carsen Edwards"
Why the Boston Celtics accept:
This one should be fairly obvious. You’re getting the best player in the deal, who is younger than the best player who you’re giving up. The three first-round picks are basically house money at this point. The Memphis pick (#14) was traded in 2015 to the Celtics for Jeff Green, and the 30th pick–which was originally Milwaukee’s pick before they traded it to Phoenix–was then traded to the Boston Celtics for Aron Baynes in a simple cap-space clearing move.
Basically, what that means is the Celtics were handed two first-round picks this year. Hayward, Edwards and their own first-round pick sounds a lot more appetizing for Boston, which is basically what the trade is.
Beal is also under contract for four more years. Because of the way the soft cap in the NBA works, one thing to note is if Hayward does opt out, the Boston Celtics don’t have 30+ million in cap space. They will have roughly less than $10 million.
However, if you bring in Beal while dealing Hayward, you will be able to fit his contract under the salary cap. Kemba Walker, Beal, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum (pending re-signing) becomes your core for at-minimum three more seasons.
Finally, I’d like to address any Hayward stans that may say he helps the team more than Beal will. Hayward’s biggest strength is his ability to facilitate the half-court offense. Analysts raved about how when Hayward was on the floor, the offense moved much better.
Insert Beal, who averaged over six assists last season in a dreadful Wizards offense, and I think your ball movement will be just fine.