NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Teams That Must Trade Up to Select Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal is one of the best prospects in the 2012 NBA draft and would likely go No. 1 overall in most other years.
Fortunately for a number of hopeful franchises, the young shooting guard is behind Anthony Davis on every big board; and Harrison Barnes, Andre Drummond and Thomas Robinson on many others.
This means that teams looking to get a crack at the Florida product will have a legit chance, but it will not be cheap.
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, multiple franchises are trying to trade into the top four to select Beal.
"Executives are falling in love with Bradley Beal. Teams are trying to trade into the top four to select Beal, according to multiple sources.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 19, 2012"
Why the top four?
Because the Cleveland Cavaliers will definitely snap him up with that pick if he is still available. He’s a perfect fit for their backcourt, next to Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving.
If a squad outside of the top four is looking to trade in, they will have to offer the Charlotte Bobcats (No. 2), Washington Wizards (No. 3) or the Cavs either a solid young player or a lot of future value.
There is no way that these rebuilding franchises will take back any bad contracts or anything less than a budding star for their draft pick. The GMs are aware that Beal holds a lot of value and are highly considering him for their own roster.
If anyone should move up and get Beal, the Boston Celtics should give it a stab with the No. 21 and No. 22 picks and perhaps future considerations. They direly need an elite young scorer to build around with Rajon Rondo as the centerpiece.
Another team that would be interesting would be the Chicago Bulls. There has been talk of them shopping Luol Deng to clear cap space and bring in a new talent to pair with Derrick Rose—when he is healthy.
Both of these organizations are elite but have not been able to get past the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps shaking things up and adding Beal will allow them to finally get over the hump once he has developed.
