Examining How the Bradley Beal Trade Impacts the Celtics

The Celtics reportedly never showed much interest in acquiring Bradley Beal, but his trade to the Suns affects them in multiple ways.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bradley Beal is headed to the desert to join forces with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

Under new owner Mat Ishbia, the Suns are unfazed by the consequences of being over the second apron under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, which comes with increasingly restrictive repercussions for repeat offenders, something they stand to be.

They've also stripped themselves of considerable draft capital for the foreseeable future, making building around their new big three even more challenging.

But Ishbia's betting on this decorated trio figuring out how to mesh on the court, staying healthy, and mattering more than if Phoenix had a deeper, more talented supporting cast around only Booker and Durant.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Suns' next move is likely to trade Deandre Ayton to upgrade their depth. While the former first overall pick's entering his age 25 season and averaged 18 points and ten rebounds per game in 2022-23, he's owed north of $32 million for the upcoming three campaigns, including $35.5 million for 2025-26.

Paying that much to a center that isn't elite isn't appealing. And concerns about Ayton's motor, commitment, and toughness don't help.

While Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently reported Phoenix registered interest in acquiring Celtics' guard Malcolm Brogdon, don't expect Boston to reciprocate those feelings toward Ayton. That means it'll take a three-team deal for the Suns to add the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

Continuing to look at the Beal trade from a Celtics' perspective, they reportedly didn't show much interest in pairing the three-time All-Star with close friend and fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

That's hardly a surprise, considering it would've required parting with Jaylen Brown or incurring the financial and roster-building repercussions Phoenix is taking on at a steeper cost than a point guard it was willing to waive, and Landry Shamet, a player at the end of its rotation.

But Beal heading west instead of ending up on the Heat is a substantial victory for Boston. His no-trade clause, which he retains even while exercising it to join the Suns, was leverage that helped Phoenix acquire him for a small price and could've helped Miami do the same.

Instead, the Heat seem more focused on pursuing Damian Lillard, but even if he leaves Portland, the Nets, who have a bevy of picks from trading Durant to Phoenix, plus the 2029 first-round selection it got from the Mavericks for Kyrie Irving, can top an offer centered around Tyler Herro, by packaging some of their draft capital with young talent like Cam Thomas.

And if the Sixers put together a proposal headlined by Tyrese Maxey, the Trail Blazers will likely find their offer more compelling than the Heat's.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, there's the Chris Paul component to this. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Wizards are likely to send him elsewhere, and the Clippers are in hot pursuit. The latter understands competing with the Lakers for his services on the open market is a battle best avoided.

They could take Paul and Shamet off Washington's hands while sending Bones Hyland and Amir Coffey to the nation's capital, along with a combination of expiring contracts like Marcus Morris' and Nicolas Batum's to make the money work, plus including draft compensation.

Maybe the Celtics should trade for Paul and fully guarantee his $30.8 million contract. The cost would be Malcolm Brogdon and likely Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. Granted, the latter two might not be back anyways.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

But will Paul or Marcus Smart get on board with coming off the bench and not being in the closing lineup? That seems like a hard sell, meaning the latter would also probably have to get traded to add the future Hall of Famer.

While the 11-time All-NBA member is a perfect fit for what Boston needs from the point guard position to help Tatum and Brown thrive, Smart's shown he can be this team's floor general and may excel in that role again with the Celtics bringing in Sam Cassell and Charles Lee to strengthen their coaching staff.

Furthermore, the former Defensive Player of the Year is significantly better at that end than Paul. The latter's also a 38-year-old point guard with a concerning injury history and 18 years of NBA mileage on his tires.

Making so many sacrifices to bring in the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon at this stage of his career seems like a gamble best avoided.

Further Reading

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18

Celtics Continue to Strengthen Their Coaching Staff

Suns Reportedly Interested in Trading for Celtics' Malcolm Brogdon

The Latest Celtics Trade Chatter

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Trading for Isaiah Stewart

Celtics' Danilo Gallinari Exercises Player Option for 2023-24 Season

NBA Insider Says Celtics Intend to Extend Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum's Partnership

Rick Barry Says Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Suffer From “Westbrook Syndrome”

Rick Barry Discusses Nearly Joining Celtics, Shares His Perspective on Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson

Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Julian Strawther

Scouting Report on Prospects Celtics Could Draft with No. 35 Pick: Jordan Walsh