WolvesFan21 wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:lipoli390 wrote:
I'd feel differently if there were any evidence that Beal has a substantial impact on winning. But I don't see it. I think he's a terrific player and would obviously be an upgrade over Beasley. And although I'd no longer consider Beal a poor defender, he's still not a particularly good one. That means yet another team pillar that doesn't help defensively. I just don't know that Beal would make enough of a difference to justify further mortgaging the team's future.
As noted, I don't think the Wolves have enough to get Beal.
Doesn't mean I wouldn't try.
We can rip Beal for not helping the Wizards win recently. But he's not without a track record of playoff experience. He's started 40 playoff games... averaging 22.7 ppg. In 3 of those seasons, he upped his production in the playoffs from the regular season.
The Wizards lost in the 2nd rd. of the 2017 playoffs to Boston in 7 games. Down 3 - 2... Beal scored 33 points in a 1-point win in Game 6. He followed it up with 38 points in a Game 7. Nobody on the roster has remotely close to that much "big game" experience. Heck, how many guys in Wolves franchise history have had playoff chops like that?
The Wolves have 16 combined playoff starts for the entire team. (11 for Rubio, 5 for KAT.) 68 total games... with Ed Davis leading the way with 33 appearances... most of them in mop-up roles.
Beal would be a HUGE get. Here's the rub... He has a player option in 2022. So, there's a chance he'd opt out at only 29... likely giving the Wolves only next season with him and KAT making a legit playoff run. (I think this season is a lost cause.)
[Note: Check out Beal's teammates last night:
Starters: Isaac Bonga, Raul Neto, Robin Lopez, Jordan Bell.
Reserves: Garrison Matthews, Jerome Robinson, Alex Len, Winston Gill, Cassius Winston.
I'm an NBA guy. I follow more than the Wolves. I've never heard of 4 of those guys... and the rest... well, they suck. Len and Bell were signed 4 days ago. Bell is starting on a 10-day contract.
Oh... Beal scored 47 points. His teammates scored 59 and shot 36%.]
The Wolves have enough they can offer 4 first round unprotected picks, but that would be crazy. So it basically comes down to how much you would give up and like you said potentially lose him in a couple years.
What if Ant becomes All NBA in 3 years and we are left with Beal leaving? It could end up being a terrible trade for us.
That's the NBA for you.
How much do you value All NBA players now... or prospects with possible All NBA potential down the line?