Brett Siegel of Clutch Points recently proposed five blockbusters that could shake up the NBA. Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the headliners, and rightfully so, as both superstars' teams are on the brink of a major roster teardown this summer. But there was one intriguing multi-team deal that involved the Portland Trail Blazers.
Here is the proposal:
Orlando Magic receive: G Anfernee Simons, C Mark Williams, F Cody Martin
Portland Trail Blazers receive: G Bradley Beal, G Josh Green, G Josh Okogie, F Jett Howard, DEN 2025 1st-round pick (via ORL, Pick No. 25), UTA/CLE/MIN 2027 1st-round pick (via PHX), UTA/CLE/MIN 2029 1st-round pick (via PHX), ORL 2026 2nd-round pick
Phoenix Suns receive: F Jerami Grant, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, C Goga Bitadze
Charlotte Hornets receive: C Deandre Ayton, ORL 2025 2nd-round pick (Pick No. 46), ORL 2028 2nd-round pick
Taking on Bradley Beal would be a setback for the Blazers
The Blazers send out their three highest-paid players, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, and Anfernee Simons. But instead of freeing up cap space, they take on a contract that is right up there with Grant's for the worst in the NBA.
Bradley Beal is still owed $53.7 million this upcoming season with a $57.1 million player option in 2026-27 that he'd be foolish not to take. That's much steeper than Grant's deal, but the fact that they could get off the contract one year earlier is significant.
Beal has a rare no-trade clause that gives him all the leverage in deciding his next potential landing spot, and it's very possible that he doesn't want to come to Portland.
During the Suns' trade deadline fiasco, it was reported by NBA insider Jake Fischer that Beal has "no desire to bless a trade pretty much anywhere and prefers to remain in Phoenix, where his family has been settling after finally leaving the nation's capital." It's also been noted that Beal prefers a warm-weather city, which the Pacific Northwest doesn't exactly offer.
But for the sake of grading, we will assume that Beal has a change of heart and signs off on the deal -- perhaps he likes the idea of reuniting with Deni Avdij and taking on an increased role like he had with the Wizards. Would the other assets the Blazers receive make it worth taking on his massive contract?
Josh Green, Josh Okogie, and Jett Howard would add much-needed wing depth, but none have a high enough ceiling as shot creators to truly move the needle. And while the Blazers do receive a lot of draft capital, all three first-round picks are attached to contenders, diluting the value.
Swapping Simons for Beal would only make the Blazers' backcourt even more complicated, potentially negatively affecting the development of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
Ayton should be viewed as a neutral asset that could be included as a salary filler in a deal like this, while Grant very well could be a negative asset after his disappointing season.
This deal fits GM Joe Cronin's preference for acquiring a combination of young players and draft capital, but the issue is that there's not one headliner asset guaranteed to be of value for Portland. They'd be better off trading Simons in a separate deal for a more established piece like Anthony Black and/or a more valuable draft pick.
This return isn't worth the headache.
Grade: C-