Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Boston Celtics: The case for and against a Bradley Beal trade

By Mike Caliri

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics in the first half at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dribbles the ball against the Boston Celtics in the first half at Capital One Arena on April 09, 2019 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. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Recent talks about the Boston Celtics trading for Bradley Beal have surfaced on social media. They appear to not have even reached rumor status, but it’s worth discussing anyway.

Jaylen Brown, Romeo Langford and picks have been thrown out there as possible chips to yield a Beal return for the Boston Celtics.

The argument for making the trade

Bradley Beal is a significant upgrade at the two guard spot for the Boston Celtics. He is a far better scorer than anyone on the roster, with the exception of Kemba Walker and he also has big play ability.

More from Chowder and Champions

Beal is also only 26-years-old so he is at the early stage of his prime.

His fit with the team aside, the deal makes sense from an asset standpoint.

Jaylen Brown has proven himself as a solid role player, but hasn’t yet taken the next step and if Jamal Murray and Terry Rozier’s contracts are any indication of Brown’s market value, the Celtics might have to break the bank just to retain him. They might be better off dealing him before having to pay him and risk losing him for nothing if another team decides to pay him when he becomes a free agent.

The other player mentioned is rookie Romeo Langford who has yet to play any professional basketball as he missed the entirety of Summer League play recovering from thumb surgery.

His value is arguably higher now than when he starts playing (unless he plays extremely well) because he is a lottery pick with unknown potential.

The Celtics would likely have to include draft picks to get this deal done and would probably include that top six protected Memphis pick, the pick acquired during this year’s draft from Milwaukee and perhaps one of the Celtic’s own picks depending on what it takes to move the needle for Washington.

Multiple picks on top of two young players may seem like a lot to give up, however, all of the Celtic’s picks in the coming years are most likely not going to be high value picks.

The only one that has significant value is that Memphis pick, but with an outstanding draft night for Memphis, that pick might end up not being as valuable as once predicted.

Plus the Celtics just drafted two really talented players in Grant Williams and Carsen Edwards whose performance was impressive in Summer League. Tremont Waters also showed flashes of excellent play. The point being, they have plenty of young talent.

The Celtics could make this trade and instantly become a better team.

The argument against making the trade

The Boston Celtics really would be fine either way with this deal.

Making the trade could be a lesson in patience for Danny Ainge.

Yes, you would be getting a top 20 player in a talent driven league, but the Celtic’s timeline to contend for a title is probably still a few years out.

Beal somewhat fits that, but Brown and Langford set them up longer term.

Also, if the caliber of players that Danny Ainge drafted is any indication, Langford could be a stud.

Williams, Edwards and Waters have all been thoroughly impressive thus far and Langford is projected to be better than all of them. That may not end up being the case, but you never know.

The other issue is the fact that Beal is about to be offered a max deal by the Wizards as soon as they can, according to the team.  It is also worth debating the potential of Jaylen Brown.

In the midst of a year full of turmoil, Brown was one of the few bright spots, as he improved his play from the early stages of the season.

Going into his fourth season, Brown could take that next step, especially with the changes the roster underwent in the offseason.

Next. Boston Celtics: Time to move on from Al Horford’s free agency spurning. dark

It might be a little early to give up on Brown even for a guy like Bradley Beal.

It might be worth it to hold on to him, develop your rookies, and see what this team is made of in three or four years.

A Brown/Tatum duo could be deadly once they develop further.

Home/Celtics Rumors