Just over a year ago, the New York Knicks had interest in trading for Wizards shooting guard, Bradley Beal.
While a possible trade did not come through fruition, the Knicks may have another opportunity to land the 3x All-Star.
According to reports, the 3rd Team All-NBA star will decline his $36.4 million player option for the 2022-23 season and become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The move comes after numerous reports have surfaced about Beal testing out the free-agent market, and being quiet about his already-decided future.
At 29 years old, the former Florida standout will have plenty of suitors.
Enter the New York Knicks.
Last season, even ESPN New York radio host, Michael Kay had announced on his show that “a good source” was telling him that the Knicks were recruiting Beal to come to New York.
The Knicks are currently 10-1 odds to land the top guard, ninth best odds in basketball. The Boston Celtics are current favorites at 3-1 odds.
Beal’s Recent Scoring Surge
The Wizards shooting guard missed over half the season due to a broken wrist. In 2020, Beal averaged a career-best 31.3 points per game and was named to his first All-NBA team.
Beal has averaged 23 points per game in his 10 years in the NBA to this point. He has played in over 70 games a season in just four of the 10 years. After teammate and fellow All-star, John Wall was traded, Beal’s points per game increase increased to over 30 in back-to-back years before his wrist injury.
The shooting guard has been to the playoffs five times and has gotten as far as the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
The Knicks haven’t gotten past the first round of the playoffs since 2012.
While the Knicks are currently looking to shed cap space for prominent guards, Beal would be one of the top players on the Knicks radar as the team tries to get back to the postseason after a disappointing 37-45 season.
The Knicks never-ending search for top guard play could also lead to the team’s departure from All-Star, Julius Randle.
With rumors surrounding New York trading up in Thursday’s draft, and previous discussions with the Wizards for their top player, it appears the Knicks are, once again, prepared to go big-game hunting for a top star in the game.
And Bradley Beal is as good as it gets.
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