Detroit Pistons: Breaking down a potential Bradley Beal trade

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If Beal wanted out

Beal loves playing for the Wizards and has been raised to be loyal. He’s also said that he “hates super teams.” The fact that Beal would request a trade doesn’t seem likely.

He does recognize the fact that it’s a business and he can be traded at any point.

For hypothetical purposes, let’s say Beal is frustrated with losing. Maybe there aren’t significant upgrades that get the Wizards into a contending team, or even a playoff team.

He wants out.

Around the trade deadline, Detroit News Pistons writer Rod Beard reported that the Wizards were asking for two first round picks, a young player and one more player.

I've heard that the market for Bradley Beal could be something like two first-rounders, a young asset and another player.

That's the ante -- just to get put the admin assistant to put the call through.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) January 2, 2019

That was the basis for trade negotiations with the Wiz of Awes guys. Here’s the result.

Admittedly, it’s several more picks than desirable but gives the Pistons a lineup of Brown, Beal, Snell, Griffin and Drummond to start. The second lineup stays in tact as Luke Kennard anchors with Rose.

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In said scenario, there’s no way Kennard becomes available, despite their want of including Kennard. That’s why adding a protected first round made more sense.

This deal turns the Pistons into an immediate NBA contender. The past decade of misery is no more as optimism would be at a high point that hasn’t been achieved since the mid-2000’s.

There would still be concerns over the point guard position, with good reason, but Brown and Rose should be able to carry the load.

Next. Every Pistons' best game of the 2018-19 season. dark

The only question that remains is how many games would this team win? How far of a playoff run could Detroit make? For now, the “what if’s” will have to do.