Bradley Beal (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Washington Wizards could use Bradley Beal as a trade chip for the team to reunite John Wall with former college teammate and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins.
There were talks about the Wizards possibly dealing Wall, with the team on course for another disappointing season. Recent reports from Bill Simmons have also pegged Wall as the team's best trade chip, potentially acquiring young talents and multiple draft picks in return.
These have spark speculations of Wall reuniting with former Kentucky teammate DeMarcus Cousins in Sactown, with Boogie recruiting and hoping to play with his college buddy. However, Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders tipped the reunion could happen in Washington instead, insisting it is unlikely the Wizards move Wall.
"So, anyway, Wall isn't going anywhere. But could the Wizards look to move Beal or Otto Porter or other key pieces? Absolutely. I'd be gauging interest in everyone but Wall and seeing what trade options are out there," Kennedy wrote.
Beal has shown potential to become a franchise cornerstone, but injuries have halted his progress towards All-Stardom. For a teams like the Kings, Beal could emerge as their go-to-guy and play outside shadows of Wall.
Beal is averaging career-high numbers in points this season, posting 21.5 points a game, while shooting 41.1 percent from the three-point line. The 23-year-old shooting guard has plenty of good games ahead of him barring any major injuries, and could be an intriguing trade piece for the Kings in exchange for Cousins.
Any potential Cousins deal for the Kings would surely include a future draft pick, as well as Kosta Koufos and Rudy Gay, who have both been linked to the rumor mill during the offseason. In return, the Wizards could send Beal, Marcin Gortat and Otto Porter, giving the Kings enough pieces to rebuild their team.
There is no denying what a tandem of Cousins-Wall could do to opposing teams, and adding veteran help at the wing in Gay could only boost Washington's chances of contending in the East.
The Kings have insisted they plan on keeping hold of Cousins, but if the Wizards could come up with a very enticing package, it is a blockbuster deal that could happen before the deadline.
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