NBA Rumors: Washington Wizards don’t want to trade Bradley Beal in Kevin Love deal
Since a report surfaced that power forward Kevin Love would not be re-signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, at least not any time soon, there have been reports of several different suitors pursuing him.
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Obvious candidates to acquire Love like the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers aside, one of the more interesting teams that could make a run at Love are the Washington Wizards. According to a report from NBA.com’s David Aldridge, the Wizards are a “stealth candidate” for Love.
However, if the Timberwolves did discuss a Love trade with the Wizards, they would likely ask for guard Bradley Beal in return and that is something the Timberwolves will not give up, according to Nate Duncan of Basketball Insiders.
"No way the Wiz give up Beal without at least an assurance from Love that he opts in for his 2015-16 season. And I’m not sure why he does that if he’s in WAS, not considered a great FA destination……Anyhow, for that reason I don’t see Washington as the greatest Love contender, especially because MIN would have to take back some salary flotsam from the WIZ to make the numbers work in addition to Beal, and they’ll be trying to shed bad contracts like Kevin Martin in such a deal. Beal would be a great return for MIN though, but I doubt WAS gives them up without assurances from Love, which probably would not be forthcoming."
Love averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season while Beal put up 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game.