Full Confession. I am a Wizards fan. I love Beal, but he's not a Franchise player. He's a strong #2. Porzingis and Kuzma are also strong #3's at this point in their careers. Here's my proposal. Give me all of the feedback - good and bad.
WHY THE WIZ DO THIS...
They will not win a Championship with this roster and are destined to spend $250M on a player who isn't worth the contract over the next 5 seasons. If they get rid of Beal, they have to get rid of everyone else. In my opinion, the only players who are worth a SuperMax contract are (in any order): Giannis; Jokic; Ja; LeBron, KD, & Steph (and that's a stretch given their ages).
NEXT MOVES:
Buy Out: Love; Westbrook; J. Johnson; W. Barton; T. Gibson
Do NOT re-sign: Reddish; J. Robinson;
Tank in 23-24 and develop Avdija; Kispert; Grimes; Gafford
Re-Sign: J. Goodwin
Rebuild through the Draft.
Cut Salary. Cut Salary. Cut Salary.
WIZ LINEUP: PG: Morris/Wright SG: Kispert/Goodwin/Taylor SF: Avdija/Reddish PF: Sims/Gill/Carey/Todd C: Gafford/Sims/Todd
WHY THE KNICKS DO THIS:
They need a reliable wing scorer who can stretch the floor while complimenting Randle and Barrett. This gives them that in Kuzma and they have another scoring threat in the clutch to pair w/ Brunson. Yes, they have to give up (2) First Rounders in this Draft, but most likely, they'll be non-lottery picks.
KNICKS LINEUP: PG: Brunson/Rose/Quickley SG: Barrett/Fournier/Quickley SF: Kuzma/Barrett/Toppin PF: Randle/Toppin/Kuzma C: Robinson/Hartenstein/Randle
WHY THE LAKERS DO THIS:
They need to prove to LeBron that they're serious about contending, otherwise, he'll demand a trade (which might be Rob Pelinka's genius plan all along, but here we are). If the Lakers get a player on the market like Beal, he's a quality player, teammate, locker room guy, and does things the "right way". He doesn't have the highest usage rate and when he isn't manning the PG role, he is actually more effective out on the perimeter receiving an open look on the wing or one of the corners. He can also create and get more aggressive getting to the basket to draw a foul on defenders down low. He's not Ray Allen, but he's a Top 10 SG at his position.
The Lakers are actually in the Top 10 in scoring and rebounding. However, as of today (Jan. 1st), they are 29th in 3PM. Their guards and wings are shooting 32.2%. Beal shoots 37% for his career, and is ranked 19th in three pointers made among active players.
LAKERS LINEUP: PG: Schroeder/Beverley/Nunn/Beal SG: Beal/Reeves/Walker/Toscano/Brown, Jr./Christie/ SF: LeBron/Walker/Beal/Toscano/Brown, Jr. PF: LeBron/AD/Gabriel/Jones/Bryant C: AD/Bryant/Jones
WHY THE CAVS DO THIS:
Although they love K-Love, and he's a legit 6th Man of the Year contender, he's not ahead of some of the other names out there (Jordan Poole; Christian Wood; Russell Westbrook; Malcolm Brogan; or Benedict Mathurin). He is in the final year of his deal and the Cavs want to prove they can win without LeBron. If you get a guy who averages nearly 2 blocks per game, can hit the three, rebound, and get to the foul line, that's the kind of support that Love can't bring in a starting role at that stage of his career.
The Cavs are ranked 26th in scoring, 19th in made threes, 16th in free throw pct., but only 21st in rebounding. Porzingis is averaging 22.5 ppg; 9.1 rpg; 2.5 apg; 1.0 spg; and 1.6 bpg; on 48% shooting. Love is averaging 9.5 ppg; 7.0 rpg; 2.1 apg; 0.2 spg; and 0.2 bpg; on 42% shooting.
Yes, I am aware that Evan Mobley is starting - deservedly so - but with Porzingis in the rotation, if convinced he can help in a supervisory role, he can still get 26-29 mpg between the 4 and 5 spot and share rotation minutes with Mobley and Allen.
WHY THE PACERS DO THIS:
I know what you're thinking. "This is a stupid move" However, the Wizards aren't developing Rui Hachimura's talent as it should be developed and they've proven they can do so through Tyrese Halliburton, revitalizing Buddy Hield's career, and getting the most out of Myles Turner despite being tossed around in every trade offer this past offseason. Hachimura is the only other player on the Wiz to average double digits in scoring (13 ppg) and does so at 24 mpg. off the bench. According to ESPN's FiveThirtyEight on Stats and Information, he'll either be Derrick Williams (bust) or Lauri Markkenan (boom). Throw in this past lottery pick in Johnny Davis and dump some of your unused assets plus a pick or two and I'd say it's fair for both teams.
PACERS LINEUP: PG: Halliburton/McConnell/Nembhard/Davis SG: Nembhard/Mathurin/Davis/Hield/Nesmith SF: Hield/Hachimura/Duarte/Nesmith/Matthurin/Brissett PF: Nesmith/Hachimura/J. Smith/Brissett/Jackson C: Turner/Jackson/Smith/Bitzade/Hachimura
Lastly, I am aware that this trade would not happen as one but four separate ones. Additionally, I am also aware that Beal cannot be traded until Jan. 15th due to the Bird Rights and 20% trade kicker. Alright! Rip my idea to shreds :)