News Update Across the NBA

Bradley Beal Joins Booker and Durant on The Suns

BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are finalizing a trade to send All-Star G Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Beal’s waiving his no-trade to form a new Big 3 with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Teams are still working thru framework, but Beal is headed to Suns. pic.twitter.com/0lQrSh370q

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2023

The Washington Wizards are in the process of finalizing a deal to trade All-Star guard- Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Phoenix Suns are sending Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, multiple future second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps to Washington for Beal. In addition to Beal, the Wizards are also sending Jordan Goodwin and forward- Isaiah Todd. Beal had to waive his no-trade clause in order to be traded.

The deal hasn’t been finalized as the Wizards are looking for potential suitors for Chris Paul, leading candidates to land Paul are the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers. It’s rumored that Paul would like to join an LA team as Paul’s family still resides in Los Angeles. There’s also the possibility Washington and Paul could agree to a contract buyout, allowing him to become a free agent.

Part of the reason for holding up full completion on the Wizards-Suns trade will be to allow Washington to field offers from third teams that would give Chris Paul a chance to land with a contender, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2023

Paul was surprised by the trade yesterday, “I was surprised too, I found out on the plane yesterday, flying here for this (Paul’s appearance on Good Morning America to promote his book). In this league, anything can happen, so you just figure out what’s next.” In another interview with the New York Times, Paul said, “It’s just, it’s tough. Seriously, it is part of the business, and what you realize is that no one owes you anything. No matter how you are with them or what you do, you realize in this business, nobody owes you anything, as it should be. But when it comes through and my son texts me, I realize that you know. Mat (Ishbia) and Isiah (Thomas), I guess, just wanted to go in a different direction.” Ishbia and Thomas have a close friendship, when Ishbia became the owner of the Suns in February, reports were suggesting that the Pistons legend- Thomas would have a prominent role in the front office.

Draymond Green Declines Player Option

Draymond is declining his $27.5M player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/846dgfBtAx

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 19, 2023

News broke today that Draymond Green has declined his $27.5 Million player option and has officially become an unrestricted free agent. The move doesn’t necessarily mean that Green’s time with the Golden State Warriors will be coming to an end. Green and the Warriors could still work out a deal. Green told reporters back in May following their elimination in the NBA playoffs by the Lakers, “I want to be a Warrior for the rest of my life.” After Green opted out of his player option for the 2023-24 season, Green can look for deals with any of the NBA’s other teams. Prior to the news, Green had been rumored to try to join the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics.

Do you think Draymond Green returns to the Warriors? 🤔

(via @MarcJSpears) pic.twitter.com/XRKp8v9XqU

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 19, 2023

Green is just one of the multiple players on which the Warriors will have to make serious decisions, like Jonathan Kuminga, Jordan Poole, and even Klay Thompson. Green’s Agent- Rich Paul (Klutch Sports CEO) broke the news, Paul is a personal friend of LeBron James, just saying. Although rumors suggest the Lakers are interested in signing Green, it would take a lot of work and dealing before the Lakers could make the numbers match up, meaning Green’s most likely scenario is signing a new deal with the Warriors.

.@jj_redick says the Warriors CANNOT contend for a title without Draymond Green 👀 pic.twitter.com/N8nShypslb

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 14, 2023

Green was drafted by the Warriors in 2012 with their 2nd Round, 35th overall Pick. Steph Curry (Drafted in 2009) and Thompson (Drafted in 2011) along with Green have won four NBA Finals in their 11 years together as a trio at the Bay. In Green’s 11 years in the NBA, the Forward is a four-time All-Star, a one-time Steals champ (2017), a one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2012), and a four-time All-Defensive First Team. He’s averaged 8.7 points (.449 FG%), 7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and one block throughout his career. The numbers can sometimes be a bit misleading as Green brings a certain attitude and presence on both ends of the court to the Warriors, but especially defense, that would be nearly impossible to replace.