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Boston Celtics: “Pros and Cons” of C’s pursuing Bradley Beal this summer

By Michael Ivanoskos

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 28: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Wizards 111-110. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 28: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Wizards 111-110. 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. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Pros of the Boston Celtics pursuing Bradley Beal

The most important aspect of the Boston Celtics potentially pursuing Bradley Beal would be to keep their top star, Jayson Tatum, content and wanting to remain with the team throughout his prime years.

This should be the goal of any sports franchise.

If Jayson Tatum was to come to a point in his career where he truly decides to test the waters in free agency, then the C’s want to be able to say they did right by him in putting the superstar in the best situation to contend for a title.

As was alluded to in the intro, Tatum and Beal have been connected since their high school days in St. Louis, each a member of the Eagles basketball team there.

They each went to Duke University and they are each currently living out their NBA dreams.

At least, the dream of playing basketball against each other at the highest level.

There is a belief that both parties would be interested in one day teaming up.  Per Sam Quinn of CBS Sports, the Boston Celtics star forward has tried to recruit the Wizards guard.

"“Yeah. We’ve talked about it plenty of times,” Tatum said. “I think, more so, just thinking about how cool it would be to play with him. Just how we grew up and how close we are. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about. We didn’t get the opportunity with the USA team, but we did get to play with each other in the All-Star Game last year which was a special moment. You know what I mean. Just, like playing in the NBA with your big brother. Who wouldn’t want to do that?”"

On top of all this, the prospect of the Boston Celtics adding Bradley Beal’s services would likely come in the form of a sign-and-trade, as that would be the only way to move the needle financially.

The ideal scenario sees him forcing his way out of Washington and to Eastern Massachusetts for the chance to form the next menacing Big-3 in the NBA and in C’s history alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

They have all had the chance to take part in NBA All-Star festivities together. The recruitment process could already be in motion.

The ideal trade that gets the job done would be a package of Al Horford and possibly the newly acquired, Derrick White. In a situation where a star demands a trade, that current team has little to no leverage at all in trade talks.

The win here would be to avoid giving up Jaylen Brown or Marcus Smart in an attempt to form this superteam.

So, what would Bradley Beal bring to Boston?

Well, for starters he is one of the best scorers currently in the association. This season his numbers saw some regression, but in 2020-21 he was second in the league in points per game, seeing averages of 31.3 points on 48.5 percent shooting from the floor.

He can score at all three levels with a more than reliable 3-point stroke (career 37 percent shooter from deep), is effective in the in-between game with his mid-range jumper, and consistently hovers in the mid to high 80’s when it comes to free-throw percentage.

The perennial All-Star is also a crafty playmaker and, before his season-ending injury, he was averaging a career-high 6.6 assists per game. Sometimes, even playing defacto point guard for a Wizards squad that lacked depth there.

He’s also an incredible finisher around the basket with smooth ball-handling skills for maneuvering around a defense.

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