NBA Rumors: Brooklyn Nets Eyeing Bradley Beal Trade, Star To Join Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving

A year after a large portion of the NBA’s top players changed teams, Bradley Beal might be the most likely star to be traded next. The Washington Wizards guard signed a two-year, $72 million extension in October that ended his chances of going anywhere at the 2020 trade deadline, but potential suitors are already planning to make a run at him in the offseason.

According to The New York Daily News’ Stefan Bondy, the Brooklyn Nets have internally discussed ways to land Beal. Mark Bartelstein, Beal’s agent, told Forbes’ Adam Zagoria that the Wizards want to keep the 26-year-old.

That, of course, could change, depending on what Washington is offered and if Beal joins the long list of stars that have asked to be sent elsewhere in recent years.

It’s been speculated that Beal will be moved before his contract ends because of his eventual free agency and the Wizards’ lack of success. No matter how the NBA chooses to finish the 2019-2020 season, Washington won’t contend for a title. That leaves two more seasons before Beal can test the open market.

Beal was an All-Star in 2018 and 2019 as Washington went 75-89 and failed to win a playoff series.

Beal will make $28.7 million in the 2020-2021 season and $34.5 million in the 2021-2022 season. He has a player option for $37.2 million in the 2022-2023 season.

Brooklyn reportedly is looking to add a third star to its roster. The Nets acquired Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last summer, though Brooklyn’s point guard has noted that the team needs more to become a championship contender.

“I mean, it's transparent. It's out there. It's glaring, in terms of the pieces that we need in order to be at that next level,” Irving told reporters after a loss in January.

Injuries limited Irving to 20 games in his first season with the Nets. Durant hasn’t played at all because of a torn Achilles.

Caris LeVert would likely be the centerpiece of any trade the Nets make to acquire another All-Star. LeVert is averaging 17.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The 25-year-old has All-Star potential and is signed to a reasonable three-year, $52 million contract through the 2022-2023 season.

When the NBA season was suspended on March 11, the Nets were the No.7 seed in the conference with a 30-34 record. The Wizards (24-40) are the first team out of the East playoff race, trailing the No.8 seed Orlando Magic by 5.5 games.

Beal is averaging 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.