BRADLEY BEAL BLOCKBUSTER
In a three-team trade, the Phoenix Suns acquired guards Bradley Beal and Jordan Goodwin, and forward Isaiah Todd from the Washington Wizards; Washington acquired guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet, a second-round draft pick in 2024, a second-round draft pick in 2025, a second-round draft pick in 2026, a second-round draft pick in 2027, a second-round draft pick in 2028, a second-round draft pick in 2030, the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2024, the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2026, the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2028 and the right to swap first-round draft picks in 2030 from the Suns, and a first-round draft pick in 2023 (No. 7 overall) from the Indiana Pacers; Indiana acquired a first-round draft pick in 2023 (No. 8 overall) and a future second-round draft pick from the Wizards, and a future second-round draft pick from the Suns.
What does it give the Phoenix Suns
The Suns are forming a new "big three" in the desert with Beal joining Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. He will bring even more scoring punch (23.2 PPG, 51% FG% in '22-23) to the already high-octane offense the Suns possess. There is no true point guard between Beal and Booker, so it will be interesting to see how the Suns manage their starting lineup (Booker will likely become the main dribbler up the floor and distributor, though Beal has some experience in that area of the game as well).
What does it give the Washington Wizards
The Suns were reported to be considering waiving Paul before Beal requested a trade out of Washington. Paul was included in this trade to make the money match and is expected to be allowed to explore opportunities outside of Washington. Shamet is a decent (albeit streaky) scoring guard who could become a nice addition off the bench in D.C. The draft pick compensation is what should get Wizards fans juiced after this trade, although the franchise is clearly heading toward a long rebuild.
What does it give the Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were included in this transaction to facilitate this complicated, multi-asset deal. Indiana sent the seventh overall pick to Washington and got back the eighth overall pick and two future second-rounders (one each from Phoenix and Washington). So, Indiana did well by trading one prospect for another, plus future assets. Indiana received Jarace Walker, who might become the team's next starting power forward.
Fantasy impact
Beal is now clearly a No. 3 scoring option in Phoenix, so his fantasy value may dip slightly. He could become more of a complementary player, so keep an eye on the situation throughout training camp. Shamet might be an option in very deep fantasy leagues, but that is anything but a guarantee at this time. As for Goodwin and Todd, they will be options off the bench for Phoenix. They have no value at this time. Walker might be a late-round option in deep keeper/dynasty leagues. As for Washington's Bilal Coulibaly, acquired from Indiana as the No. 7 pick in the 2023 draft, expect him to be brought along slowly by the Wizards. He is much more interesting as a keeper-league option than for a yearly draft.
Player focus
Phoenix Suns
Indiana Pacers
Draft pick - Round 1(8) in 2023
future draft pick
future draft pick
Washington Wizards
Draft pick - Round 1(7) in 2023
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2024
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2025
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2026
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2027
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2028
Draft pick - Round 2 in 2030
right to swap first-round draft picks - Round 1 in 2024
right to swap first-round draft picks - Round 1 in 2026
right to swap first-round draft picks - Round 1 in 2028
right to swap first-round draft picks - Round 1 in 2030