Wizards’ Trade of Westbrook to Create Flexibility to Build Around Beal

With Russell Westbrook being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, how that would affect the Bradley Beal situation was immediately a topic of conversation. 

Even before this news dropped, Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard talked to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, saying that Bradley Beal had not requested a trade from the Washington Wizards.

While it was recently reported that Beal was considering a trade request leading up to the draft, it appears he did not end up pulling the trigger. 

After the Westbrook trade became official, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that this is a deal Washington wanted to make with Bradley Beal in mind, creating some salary cap flexibility for the future to add talent around him. Rather that it being the first step towards a rebuild, it’s a step towards more roster flexibility. 

Last season Beal was a superstar, averaging 31.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.