Miami Heat: 5 trades for the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal
By Trey Flynn
Trade No. 5 – Wayne Ellington becomes the new tanking chip for the Wizards
In this trade idea, the Miami Heat send Hassan Whiteside, Wayne Ellington, two unprotected 1st round picks, as well as a 2nd round pick to the Washington Wizards in return for Bradley Beal.
This deal is essentially the McGruder one, but with Ellington involved rather than the pick-and-roll maestro.
While Ellington has been on the bench for the past few weeks in Miami, the sharpshooter has been ready to play and knock down 3’s all season long, but with the clump of guards that the Heat possess he’s been unable to get on the floor.
However, if Washington takes a look at Ellington’s career year last season, they could use him as a successful chip to tank this season without making it too obvious.
2017-18 stats (77 games in 26.3 MPG): 11.2 PPG – shooting splits 40.7/39.2/85.9
2018-19 stats: (20 games in 22.7 MPG): 8.3 PPG – shooting splits 35.8/36.5/84.6
In conclusion, I believe that if Beal could be moved, but he would only be moved for a solid young player and a few draft picks. I can’t seem Miami moving Bam Adebayo (I would for Beal), but I could see them sending one of Winslow or Richardson.
If the 25-year-old wing is still on the market, I hope Pat Riley is picking up his phone, as Miami seems one solid piece away from making noise in the playoffs.