Grade the Trade Pitch: Warriors add Beal as Wizards start a Poole Party

Would the Warriors say yes?

The Warriors have seen mixed results in adding big-time pieces to their core. Kevin Durant was obviously a massive success, and Andrew Wiggins has turned out better than expected. D’Angelo Russell, on the other hand, was a disaster that Bob Myers somehow got out of expertly.

Bradley Beal is probably more Wiggins than Russell. He is an excellent shooter both behind the arc and in the midrange, and he is a good enough passer to fit into the Warriors’ system. He should thrive off-ball in a way he hasn’t since John Wall was running alongside him. Defensively he has enough juice not to be destroyed; he’s at least less vulnerable than Poole.

The question becomes whether he is enough of an upgrade to justify his gigantic salary and giving up all three remaining members of the two-timeline core. This is the window to trade for a player like Beal; starting next summer they would have to completely match his salary.

With that being said, the Warriors would not only be selling low on Jordan Poole, but they might also be selling low on Moses Moody. He looks like an excellent fit as a lower-usage two-way wing, and here he is almost just salary filler. Jonathan Kuminga still has a lot of fans around the league. If the Warriors did want to make a big move, couldn’t they set their sights higher than Beal?

In the end, this is a huge financial commitment heading into the new CBA, and it doesn’t move the needle enough to strip their young depth. It’s defensible, but it’s not the best path forward.

Grade: C