How the Bradley Beal drama could affect the Pistons
Kristaps Porzingis
If the Wizards do finally trade Bradley Beal, it’s a pretty good sign that they are blowing things up and starting the rebuild that probably should have happened a few seasons ago.
Kristaps Porzingis has a $36 million player option for next season and there was speculation that he would decline it and become a free agent, which may make even more sense if the Wizards don’t have Beal.
But according to Keith Smith, there is a chance the Porzingis will opt in, take his money and become a free agent next season.
Something that is picking up more and more buzz: Kristaps Porzingis opting in for $36M with Washington next season. Under the old front office, the assumption was Porzingis would opt out and re-sign on a long-term deal with Wizards. He may take the money now and hit FA in 2024.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 14, 2023
Either option could potentially work for the Detroit Pistons. If Porzingis opts in, he immediately becomes a trade target, as the Wizards will want to get something for him before he potentially walks next summer for nothing.
If Porzingis opts out, he hits the market as a free agent and Detroit is one of the few teams with the cap space to go after him.
Porzingis is a nice fit with Detroit and they may be able to get him for a song if he opts into his deal and the Wizards have to trade him without having any real leverage.
It would be risky to trade for a guy on an expiring deal, but it would give Detroit the chance to see how he fits with their core and would give them the inside track to a long-term extension if things work out.
But Porzingis isn’t the only teammate of Bradley Beal who would be affected by a trade.