NBA Notebook: Who the Celtics could draft with the 35th pick

The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday and becomes more important to sustainable team-building as franchises try to avoid the impending penalties for carrying too much salary on a roster. This week could prove to be one of the more active drafts in recent history, even for a Celtics team that would normally exit a season — with their talent level, without a first-round pick (No. 29 pick traded to Indiana for Malcolm Brogdon) and without much playing time for young players — unfocused on the draft. Their last three selections, Yam Madar, Juhann Begarin and J.D. Davison all played away from the team during their rookie and ensuing seasons, and could reenter play depending on how Boston decides to fill out its roster this summer. 

The Celtics, for now, bring back 11 out of 15 guaranteed salaries after Danilo Gallinari picked up his player option. They can decide to retain or waive Mike Muscala's $3.5 million team option, and Justin Champagnie's $1.9 million salary is non-guaranteed. That clears up room for at least a mid-level exception signing, or Grant Williams' return in free agency, a young player and the ability to leave open the final roster spot for a buyout player later. The new CBA also allows for three two-way players, potentially allowing Boston to bring back Davison without using a full roster spot, along with Mfiondu Kabengele and either the No. 35 pick, or an undrafted free agent signing. Blake Griffin's potential return also may require a roster spot, perhaps Muscala's. 

As Boston assesses deals that could send out one of their four guards, Malcolm Brogdon is the most likely to go given his bench role and $45 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, Davison may be in line to become the fourth guard in place of whoever departs, though as a restricted free agent he can sign with other teams if they offer him a full contract. The Celtics may only decide to extend a qualifying offer to Davison to stay in the G-League next season, especially given that he played no significant minutes in the NBA last year. That opens the door for targeting a guard at No. 35. 

Forward seems more set with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown eating up most of those minutes anyway, Sam Hauser returns after an encouraging first season playing regularly and Begarin potentially joining the fold either this year or next. The frontcourt, particularly if Williams departs, becomes a major need for a young infusion of talent as Al Horford ages and Robert Williams III remains an injury risk. The Muscala experiment largely didn't work, costing the Celtics one of their second-rounders this year and a future one, clearing out their future second-rounders as teams consolidate them. 

First-round picks guarantee at least two years of salary. So as teams try to become as flexible as possible, the ability to sign second-rounders to whatever salary structure they desire should only increase the value compared to late firsts. The Pacers reportedly hope to consolidate their three first-rounders, including Boston's, while late-season nose dives by the Spurs and Trail Blazers allowed the Celtics to secure a borderline first-round pick from the Desmond Bane trade in 2020 — little solace for missing out on a player Boston would've considered at that spot, instead using it to dump Enes Freedom. 

Don't count on a move up into the first round, given the lack of Celtics selections later in the draft, the need for cost control on the roster pushing up against the second apron and the price of doing so. Boston needs its array of future firsts for supplementing the roster in coming seasons or other more consequential deals. The thought of moving up to the top of the draft with a Brown trade seems unlikely at this point too, with multiple reports indicating the Celtics remain intent on moving forward with Brown and Tatum. The Anfernee Simons and No. 3 overall pick idea sounds intriguing on the surface, but between Brown playing on a one-year deal, the uncertainty of who falls to third and how good they'll be, along with the downgrade in talent from Brown to Simons makes it unrealistic. Boston will probably extend Brown long-term at Supermax value that could be traded for another star later if necessary.

Now, let's get into some of the prospects mock drafts have available to Boston at 35, undrafted options and who the Celtics worked out. 

Marcus Sasser - Houston, Senior - 6-foot-1,196 pounds, 22 years old, 6-7 wingspan

Defensive guard who shot 38.4% from three last season, 37% for his career on over 700 attempts, and over 40% in catch-and-shoot scenarios according to Sam Vecenie, and shot seven attempts per game as a senior. He posted a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, plays on and off the ball and navigates screens well in a way that would project well to Boston's style and brings long 3-point range for a four-year college player. Makes sense as a Payton Pritchard replacement given his age, size, readiness and ball-handling skill. Probably a first-round pick who's a no-brainer at No. 35 overall. 

Andre Jackson Jr. - UConn, Junior - 6-6, 198, 21, 6-10

Another first-round talent who brings defense, length and complementary offensive skills immediately that helped Connecticut storm to a 2023 national championship. Danny Ainge would've loved his athletic profile and engagement away from the ball on defense, eye for rebounding and being a team player in the passing game. Like some of Ainge's favorite wings over the years, Jackson Jr. struggled from three (28.1% 2023) and his free throw numbers (70.2% career) don't project toward a shooting bump in the NBA. Jackson will keep the ball popping, but may struggle in Boston's drive-and-kick offense as a 25.4% catch-and-shoot finisher from three, according to Vecenie. He's a valuable pick at No. 35 as a contributor to a team ready to win. Jackson Jr. reportedly worked out for the Celtics leading up to the draft. 

Tristan Vukčević - KK Partizan, Serbia - 6-11, 223, 20, 7-3

Can't remember the Celtics taking a chance on an overseas big man with upside. Of course one of them, Nikola Jokić, became the key to the Denver Nuggets' championship this summer. Vukčević became a surprise late entry to this year's draft and should be available at No. 35, bringing seasoned offensive skills for his size and age, the ability to shoot the three (37.3% on limited attempts last season) and to create those shots for himself. Unfortunately, his complementary skills, as a defender and off-ball contributor, don't project well fitting in on the Celtics any time soon and he probably prefers to play in the NBA sooner rather than later. As a bonus, he did play alongside Boston's Yam Madar last season. He also formerly played for Real Madrid.

Kobe Brown - Missouri, Senior - 6-7, 252, 23, 7-1

Transformed from a slasher who struggled to shoot into a marksman as a senior which may allow him to sneak into the first round. Otherwise, he brings all the complementary skills to the wing position that some of my favorite players, like Gordon Hayward and Nic Batum, do at the modern four, with the girth of the old-school fours. He needs his 45.5% mark on 112 tries from his senior season to translate, otherwise the post-play Grant Williams similarly leaned on to thrive at Tennessee won't translate and will leave Brown on the bench, where Williams often sat through his first two seasons. He's worth a shot. 

Jaime Jaquez Jr. - UCLA, Senior - 6-6, 226, 22, 6-10

This is Kevin O'Connor's mock to the Celtics, who you should remember from UCLA's Final Four run in 2021. He plays an older school post-game where he makes plays, averaging 2.4 assists per game last season, but that bully game at 6-6 won't necessarily translate to the NBA. If he can stretch out his shooting range to 3-point land, he stands a better chance of becoming a playmaking bench player who can score with ease on seals, knock down shots and make the right play. Hitting 77% of his free throws last year projected well toward his continued shooting improvement. Defensively, he'll hustle.

Maxwell Lewis - Pepperdine, Sophomore - 6-6. 207, 20. 7-0

Another bet on replacing Grant at the four position with a player of similar size who brings a reliable 3-point shot to the position. It's difficult to imagine this kind of player slipping past the Pacers twice in the first round, but the Celtics may be able to sneak into the first round if they take some money off Indiana's hands in a sign-and-trade scenario that sends Grant to Indiana. As for Lewis, he shot 35.4% from 3 on 224 attempts in two years at Pepperdine, 44.1% off the catch this past year, per Vecenie. His long wingspan allows him to cover a variety of players beyond his position and he can dribble some. A strong free-throw percentage adds to his projectable NBA skill, shooting the deep ball, but his youth definitely slides him closer to first-round status. Kobe Brown brings more of the power forward frame where Lewis plays closer to the wing position. 

G.G. Jackson - South Carolina, Freshman - 6-8, 214, 18, 6-11

A combination of underwhelming results at South Carolina, poor workouts and interviews slide him closer to second-round status, but his status as the No. 6 recruit out of high school keeps him intriguing, albeit divisive, as a late-first or early-second-round pick. Jackson, like Davison last year, enters the league extremely young and impressionable, a perfect candidate to spend some time and develop in Maine. He brings the size to defend NBA wings, the leverage offensively to finish over smaller players with both hands and enough shooting potential to make defenders at least respect him. His shot and selection on jumpers needs to improve though, and he only shot 67.7% from the free throw line last season, rarely a good sign for shooters. This is the kind of player it's hard to pass up on in the second round, but the one who ends up falling further than anyone imagines entering draft night. 

Trayce Jackson-Davis - Indiana, Senior - 6-8, 240, 23, 7-1

An older lob threat who could begin pushing Robert Williams III at a critical moment in the big man's career, while providing a similar impact if Williams III goes down with injury. It's remarkable how similarly they play, save for Jackson-Davis' reliance on his left hand, and another shot-blocking big man can't hurt on a team that struggled to generate rim protection with Williams III off the floor. He can switch on defense, rebounds at a high rate and rejected 2.9 shots per game last year. Jackson-Davis also operated as a post scorer for Indiana, giving him an alternative to the lob that Williams III struggled with. Jackson-Davis reportedly worked out for the Celtics leading up to the draft. 

James Nnaji - Barcelona/Nigeria - 6-10, 225, 18, 7-7

Another big man prospect, this one is more of an upside play if he falls to the second round. Brings an elite physical profile to the position and greater height than Boston's current pair of centers while maintaining a long wingspan. His strength pairs with his length inside to provide strong defense immediately, but his offensive game will need to round out for him to make it in the NBA. He also struggles from the free throw line, something that will further limit him offensively if opponents believe they can take him out of games by fouling. He signed with Barcelona in 2020 and hasn't played often there, would likely stay overseas or land in Maine as a long-term upside play on someone whose basketball journey began at 12. This is a long play, one rebuilding teams take. He'll go closer to undrafted than the first round, transitioning us to some of the players who worked out for Boston who could join them after the draft.

REPORTED WORKOUTS

Leaky Black - North Carolina
Jaylen Forbes, Tulane
Alex Fudge, Florida
Omari Moore, San Jose State
Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers (returned to school - paws off, Celtics - Bedard)
Justin Powell, Washington State
Jalen Slawson, Furman
Landers Nolley II, Cincinnati 
Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky 
Isaiah Miranda, N.C. State 
Kao Akobundu-Ehiogu, Memphis
Charles Bediako, Alabama
Jamarius Burton, Pitt
Branden Carlson, Utah
Johnell Davis, FAU
Demarcus Demonia, Texas A&M-Commerce
Enrique Freeman, Akron
Patrick Gardner, Marist
Sam Griesel, Nebraska
Alijah Martin, FAU
Justyn Mutts, Virginia Tech
Osun Osunniyi, Iowa State
Drew Peterson, USC
Jamal Shead, Houston
Vincent Valerio-Bodon, Sopron KC (Hungary)
Jordan Walker, UAB
Tosan Evbuomwan, Princeton
Coleman Hawkins, Illinois
Chris Livingston, Kentucky
Craig Porter, Wichita State
Terrence Shannon, Illinois
Jordan Walsh, Arkansas

Here's what else happened in the NBA this week...

Atlanta: Trae Young reportedly enters the offseason untradeable while John Collins unsurprisingly will become available for trades with three years and $95 million left on his contract. Jake Fischer reported the Suns will target Collins, among others, while trying to move Chris Paul and supplement Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The Hawks' former head coach Nate McMillan will take 2023-24 off, according to Chris Haynes, after rejecting an offer from the Mavericks to join Jason Kidd's staff. Atlanta will select No. 15 in next week's draft. 

Boston: Received calls for its guards Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon and Payton Pritchard, according to multiple reports, with Phoenix registering interest in Brogdon alongside its desire to move Chris Paul and pursue John Collins. ... The Celtics added former Bucks assistant Charles Lee to Joe Mazzulla's staff as his top assistant, Lee finishing as a finalist for the Toronto and Detroit head coaching jobs and receiving praise for his work alongside Mike Budenholzer dating back to Atlanta. ... Danilo Gallinari picked up his $6.8-million player option and Indiana reportedly emerged as a Grant Williams suitor in restricted free agency, with Gallinari likely at the forefront of replacing Williams' minutes if he departs this summer, per Fischer. 

Fischer, among others, added that the Celtics will probably not pursue Bradley Beal while they focus on retaining Jaylen Brown alongside Jayson Tatum. Boston picks No. 35 in next week's draft. 

Charlotte: Reports indicate the team favors Alabama forward Brandon Miller, but word of a strong workout by Scoot Henderson, the long-heralded second-best recruit in the class, could indicate a smokescreen before the Hornets likely field calls from suitors for a trade up to No. 2. The Pelicans could emerge among them, according to Shams Charania, and it seems like the Hornets could land Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson in a potential draft-week blockbuster that could shake up the east. 

Chicago: The Bulls will reportedly gauge interest in their star guard Zach LaVine after a season where he and DeMar DeRozan struggled to coexist on the way to a play-in tournament exit. Chicago set the price high, Jake Fischer reported, and with Bradley Beal potentially available for far less, it's hard to imagine LaVine's four-year, $178 million contract moving before the draft. The Bulls will not pick in this year's draft, trading their first-round pick to the Magic for upcoming free agent Nikola Vučević, whom evaluators slated to make roughly two years, $25-50 million total, and forfeited their second-round pick for tampering in the Lonzo Ball signing. 

Cleveland: Will reportedly pursue a move into the first round of next week's draft after trading their own selection to the Pacers in 2022 for Caris LeVert, an upcoming unrestricted free agent. The Cavs only hold their No. 49 second-round pick to offer, and traded away nearly all of their future firsts in the Donovan Mitchell trade, which along with their lack of workouts with first-rounders probably lines them up for a move into the earlier portion of the second round at best. Indiana's interest in moving its multiple late-round picks, including the Cavs', could create opportunity. The Wizards and Grizzlies could pursue LeVert. 

Dallas: Their interest in moving the No. 10 overall pick may result in a trade back or even out of the first round as teams begin lining up to move up in the draft. The Mavs' long-running interest in John Collins could provide the Hawks an opportunity to leap from No. 15 and keep Dallas within range of where it originally picked, while taking Collins' contract off Atlanta's hands. Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans, Maxi Kleber and Reggie Bullock all give Dallas salary to match in such a deal while providing the Hawks some depth to lineup behind their bench players who would step up in Collins' place. It makes sense. Marc Stein reported the Mavericks moved on from free agent Christian Wood, further opening room for a big man like Collins, though Jake Fischer indicated Dallas would be more willing to talk about Clint Capela than Collins. As for Kyrie Irving, look out for Miami.

Denver (won 4-1 vs. Miami): The Nuggets won the 2023 championship, overcoming a bad foul call on Aaron Gordon on Jimmy Butler's three-pointer that pulled the Heat within one possession late before Kentavious Caldwell-Pope stole Butler's pass on the next possession. Nikola Jokić nonchalantly won MVP, passing up the trophy and actually losing it in the days after Denver's first title in franchise history, dating back to 1967. Jokić averaged 30.0 PPG, 13.5 RPG and 9.5 APG on 54.8% shooting for the entirety of their playoff run, and a core that returns in full save for likely free agent Bruce Brown will become 2024 favorites. Jokić, who wanted to return to Serbia instead of attending the team's parade in Denver, changed his mind Thursday. 

Detroit: Monty Williams revealed he considered stepping away from coaching next season after the Suns fired him and doctors diagnosed his wife Lisa with breast cancer during the playoffs. Williams later changed his mind and circled back to the Pistons after learning positive news on Lisa's health over the past month. Detroit continues its rebuild, a drastically different outlook than Williams' Suns teams held, next week when the Pistons select No. 5 and No. 31 overall. Detroit will likely solidify its wing depth with one of the Thompson twins and reportedly will pursue Nets forward Cam Johnson with its cap space this summer. At the crowded big man position, Isaiah Stewart began looking like a possible odd man out who the Celtics called about, but James Edwards III indicated the Pistons probably will not move him entering the final year of his rookie contract making $5.2 million. 

Golden State: Mike Dunleavy Jr. will become the Warriors' general manager, replacing dynasty architect Bob Myers after he departed the franchise earlier this month. Dunleavy's first decision becomes Draymond Green's future with the team after he reportedly told the team he'll opt out of his $27.6-million player option and become an unrestricted free agent. Golden State sits at roughly $210 million in salary next season, expected to pay over that in luxury tax while hammered by the league's new second apron penalties, including no mid-level exceptions, sign-and-trades and other team-building methods. The Warriors do own the No. 19 pick in this year's draft, which will play a crucial role in the future. Marc Spears noted that Golden State field trade calls for Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole after their difficult seasons. 

"The Warriors are going to do everything in their power, if he does as expected, to bring (Green) back,” Spears said.

Houston: With James Harden torn between the 76ers and Rockets, look for Houston to pivot quickly to other free agents they've been connected to like Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and more recently Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, who Washington would have less interest in retaining if it trades Bradley Beal. Houston worked out Amen Thompson ahead of the team's No. 4 selection in next week's draft and left impressed, with the forward likely lined up to fall to their pick. Celtics assistant Aaron Miles may not join Ime Udoka's staff, in which case Kelly Iko reported former Spurs big man Tiago Splitter could do so. 

Indiana: The Pacers share the Rockets' interest in free agent Kyle Kuzma as they prepare to utilize roughly $27 million in cap space on improving the team's wing depth. Indiana also hopes to consolidate its first-round picks, including its own at No. 7, Cleveland's at No. 26 and Boston's at No. 29, along with second-rounders at No. 32 and No. 55. Those give the Pacers enormous flexibility on Thursday, particularly if the teams above them in the lottery stand pat and use their own picks. 

Clippers: The Clippers successfully retained head coach Ty Lue despite interest from other teams, including the Suns, by maintaining a high asking price in draft capital. Lue, however, will reportedly not reach a contract extension with LA as he enters the second-to-last year on his contract, with the 2024-25 season concluding his deal as a team option, according to Chris Haynes. Lue's frustration with the Clippers' lack of consistent lineups showed last year before the team's first-round exit. 

Lakers: Unsurprisingly interested in Suns guard Chris Paul if he reaches free agency, with Paul a long-running LA target and not far from the guard's offseason home. Paul could pair with a re-signed D'Angelo Russell if he joins the Lakers on a minimum contract, but the Spurs loom as a team with the cap space to fully absorb Paul's deal. Replacing Russell with Paul entirely, however, would free up the mid-level exception and allow more competitive offers to free agents Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. The Lakers otherwise remain focused on addressing the middle class on its roster, with Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley's sizable team options looming as possible trade chips. LA also selects No. 17 overall in next week's draft. 

Memphis: The NBA suspended Ja Morant for 25 games for conduct detrimental to the league following an eight-game suspension for flashing a gun in March on Instagram Live at the club, then doing the same last month after a season filled with lawsuits and alleged misbehavior. NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated Morant will need to complete a program, fulfilling the necessary steps to return to play. 

Miami (lost 1-4 vs. Denver): Fell in a hard-fought Game 5 that dropped the Heat's shooting splits in the Finals to 40.7% from the field, 34.3% from 3 and 41.3% FG for Jimmy Butler, whose 2-for-12 start doomed Miami in the finale. Butler hit a string of fourth-quarter 3s that made the game close, but fell exhausted in another run alongside Bam Adebayo and an inconsistent supporting cast. Undrafted stars in their roles like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent enter free agency this summer, while reports pointed toward the Heat as a strong contender to land Bradley Beal in an immediate talent upgrade for the starting lineup. Will Miami need to include Tyler Herro, who became available (hand) for Game 5, but did not play after Game 1 in the first round, or can the team acquire Beal for Kyle Lowry's salary and future first-round picks? Will they hold out for Damian Lillard? 

Milwaukee: Reportedly interested in acquiring Bradley Beal, whose agent received permission to speak with the team as Beal holds control of where he goes if the Wizards decide to trade him. Matching his salary and value become difficult for Milwaukee due to both Jrue Holiday's importance to the Bucks and the amount of future first-round picks the team sent New Orleans to acquire him. Without trading Holiday and before Khris Middleton decides on his $40.4-million player option, the Bucks effectively can't match Beal's $46.7-million contract, though it'd be easy to do so if Middleton opts in after offseason knee surgery. Middleton, alongside a 2028 or 2029 first-round pick, makes sense from a Bucks perspective, but not for the Wizards.

New Orleans: An end of a short-lived era filled with enormous potential could end this week with the Pelicans reportedly pursuing a trade up to the top of the NBA Draft board to select Scoot Henderson. Doing so could require them to trade either star Brandon Ingram or Zion Williamson to the Hornets, a difficult decision that might've landed Williamson and GM David Griffin face-to-face at the Saints' facility earlier this week. Williamson didn't play for effectively the third time in four seasons before he begins his five-year rookie max extension this season, his health, weight and a string of off-court drama drawing more attention than the spurts of MVP-level play he displayed in 2021 and 2023 while healthy. Woj, however, expects Zion to stay. New Orleans owns the No. 14 pick in next week's draft, along with numerous future Lakers and Bucks selections. 

New York: Not listed as a Bradley Beal suitor. Quiet as the Pelicans get active, fans having long dreamt of landing Zion Williamson themselves. Reports linked them to Zach LaVine at the trade deadline, but nothing yet here for now. Are the Knicks finally becoming patient drafters and developers? I'll believe it when I see it. Especially since they don't own a pick in Thursday's draft. 

Philadelphia: Reportedly not interested in Bradley Beal or Fred VanVleet despite being able to utilize Tobias Harris' one-year contract in both scenarios to replace James Harden. It's clear some hope remains between Harden and Philadelphia for a reunion, despite former coach Doc Rivers's recent comments.

“It was challenging,” Rivers said, addressing Harden's unwillingness to give the ball up then retrieve it. “We were fighting two things. Not visually fighting. But James is so good at playing one way. And the way I believe you have to play to win is in some ways different ... I would have loved to have him younger." 

Phoenix: Buying out Chris Paul or sending him to the Spurs in a salary dump doesn't help this team. They traded their No. 21 pick and their future selections to the Nets for Kevin Durant. The new second apron will make it difficult for Phoenix to utilize its mid-level exception or execute trades like a D'Angelo Russell swap they could pull off that sends Paul to the Lakers. The Suns somehow got stuck fast after going all-in on last year, and I don't see how they can make a Malcolm Brogdon trade worthwhile for the Celtics other than taking the salary off Boston's hands, which would enact those aforementioned restrictions. Good luck. 

Portland: Does the Trail Blazers' desire to move Anfernee Simons, the No. 3 overall pick and whatever else proves necessary to land a star next to Damian Lillard become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy? Marc Stein thinks so, seeing teams around the NBA hold off on dealing with the Blazers on that front, awaiting Lillard's eventual availability if Portland fails to court a competitive roster around him. His musings about potential destinations gave some hint at his waning patience, and it's hard to imagine a deal coming together that vaults the Blazers into competitiveness. In fact, it may be the difficult rebuild that does that. 

Sacramento: Reportedly interested in Bradley Beal and O.G. Anunoby, a popular trade deadline name that hasn't surfaced often in reports early this offseason. The Kings retain their array of future first-round picks and salaries like Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, along with prospects like Keegan Murray and Davion Mitchell. Domantas Sabonis also carries value into the offseason too, but this group's offense already hit a historic level with the roster they have. Anunoby intrigues with defense. 

San Antonio: With Chris Paul's $30-million salary possibly landing into their projected $36.8-million in cap space, the Spurs can either retain him, make a decision next summer on his non-guaranteed $30 million contract for 2025 and have him play alongside Victor Wembanyama to speed up the team's timeline. That move works best for the Suns, who could possibly return a Malcolm Brogdon in a larger deal, but it's unclear if Paul would want to play in San Antonio at 38. 

Toronto: Would they move toward a total rebuild by trading Pascal Siakam, owed one-year, $37.9 million, and O.G. Anunoby, who makes $18.6 million this year before he can become a free agent next season? The answer should probably be yes, but with both playing on expiring contract the odds of a significant return fall even lower than they did at last season's trade deadline, when the Raptors bought before losing in the play-in tournament. Fred VanVleet opted out of his $22.8-million player option to enter free agency, and Jake Fischer reported the guard could receive more than $90 million, a figure Toronto could meet, but probably shouldn't. It's time to begin a new era around Scottie Barnes and younger players, and collect future assets. 

Washington: Shams Charania and Adrian Wojnarowski reported Bradley Beal and the Wizards will work together on a trade once Washington decides to embrace a rebuild. The Heat, Bucks and Kings lined up as early suitors for the former All-NBA guard who played and produced less over the last two seasons through injuries while the Wizards missed the playoffs. Like Toronto, the case to start over became undeniable after a season where Washington went all-in on the playoffs and fell woefully short. With Kyle Kuzma entering free agency, Kristaps Porzingis reportedly picking up his $36-million player option and Beal due four-years, $207.7 million on his super max contract. The Wizards will probably only return expiring salary for Beal alongside picks.  

As of Saturday afternoon, the Wizards remained engaged with Miami and Phoenix as serious suitors for a Beal trade.