Trade no. 2 – Josh Richardson tries to replace Bradley Beal on the new Waiters’ Wizards
In this trade idea, the Miami Heat send Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, and a pair of draft picks to the Washington Wizards in return for Bradley Beal.
This move would mean that Washington would have to put faith in Richardson and hope that, at his cheap contract, he can be a better two-way player than Beal, as they are the same age (surprisingly). While Beal is undoubtedly a better offensive player than J-Rich, the Heat wing is one of the more ferocious defenders around the league, and a great off-the-ball player.
Richardson 2018-19 stats: 18.0 PPG, 3.9 TRB, 3.9 AST, 1.1 STLS, with shooting splits of 40.8/37.5/86.0.
Those numbers could win J-Rich the most improved players of the year award, so the Wizards’ could get a deal with the swingman.
As for the other guy traded in this move, can you imagine the marketing behind a Dion deal? Waiters’ Wizards? You either love it or you hate it, but Washington is looking to start over fairly soon and possibly tank for the rest of the season, who better to do that with than Waiters island?
However, Waiters’ hasn’t really gotten a good look this season in terms of minutes, so he’ll have to put on more of a show over the next few weeks for a deal like this to be made before the trade deadline.
As for the two draft picks, they would most likely turn to two 1st round picks if this deal ever hit Pat Riley’s table, but I’ll leave it as a second rounder for right now.
Our next move gives the Wizards’ two of Miami’s best players.