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3 trades the Houston Rockets need to make for Bradley Beal

By N.B. Lindberg

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards reacts during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Capital One Arena on January 31, 2021 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets
Victor Oladipo #7 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets for Bradley Beal: Trade #1

This is the most likely trade of the three for a simple reason, the Wizards don’t understand the value of throwing in the towel. If the Wizards understood the current state of their roster they would have known that even with Bradley Beal they weren’t a playoff team and moving him before James Harden was of critical importance.

The Wizards waited, wished, and are now without many options. Almost every contender has maxed out their asset cupboard and the franchise is closer to the number one pick than they are to the playoffs.

The folly in trying to be competitive is admirable but at this point, it seems like the franchise is in a perpetual haze of wishful thinking, and this trade is the most wishful thinking package the Rockets can offer. Victor Oladipo is on an expiring deal but he’s from the area and he’ll sign on to play for his hometown team.

Eric Gordon still has three years left on his deal and the trio of him, Oladipo, and Westbrook in crunch time will be a nightmare to deal with. Sure, they’ll get a nice return of draft capital but the Wizards are a team that should be doing everything in their power to be an up and coming team by the summer of 2023 when Russell Westbrook’s contract will come off the books and they can be a real player in free agency.

However, that ship of rational thinking sailed a long time ago when they went ahead and acquired Westbrook in the first place. This trade makes the Wizards watchable for the next few seasons if Oladipo signs an extension, but in the end, it’s just another ticket to almost making the playoffs.

The Rockets should try to pull this deal off because it gives them the best chance to contend this season and next. Bradley Beal will help grease the wheels on offense and they retain their exciting young core of defensive stalwarts.

Next. 5 Players the Houston Rockets should target before the trade deadline

With Gordon’s contract off in Washington the Rockets will have the ability to go out and add pieces in free agency or absorb a large contract through trade. The Rockets should think boldly and go after Bradley Beal, no matter the cost. As Rockets fans know all too well, NBA superstars are worth every penny.

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