NBA Rumors: Bradley Beal Linked To Eastern Contender In Potential Trade

While Bradley Beal rumors have been swirling around the NBA for years now, things have been relatively quiet of late for the oft-injured three-time All-Star. But The Ringer's Bill Simmons has now brought the Beal rumors out of cobwebs, claiming that the Philadelphia 76ers are the team to watch if the new Washington Wizards management decides to (try to) move on from Beal. 

Bill Simmons pegs the Sixers as the favorites to land Bradley Beal in a potential trade

“My odds on favorite is Philadelphia and I don't even think it's close. Beal and [Joel] Embiid, they're friends. Embiid was trying to get him two years ago, which I kept telling people on… pic.twitter.com/A3o0YDs26w

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 12, 2023

"My odds on favorite is Philadelphia and I don't even think it's close," Simmons said, pointing to a longstanding interest of Sixers' star Joel Embiid to unite with his good buddy.

"Beal and Embiid, they're friends. Embiid was trying to get him two years ago, which I kept telling people on this podcast," said Simmons on 97.1 The Ticket.

"Harden is going to leave. If you're Philly and you are going to lose Harden and now I have this shooter, that's probably a better fit with Embiid anyway. And I have Tobias Harris on an expiring contract, couple future draft picks I could probably throw that I could probably find in my pocket somewhere."

The problem with this scenario is that the Sixers have enough trouble trying to ensure that Embiid stays healthy from season to season and wire to wire within a season. Adding Beal—who hasn't played more than 60 games in the last four years—would only exacerbate that problem.

Beal, who averaged 23.2 points and 5.4 assists last season, only played in 50 games due to injuries after a mere 40 the year before. He's turning 30 this summer, and has four more years and over $200M left on his massive max deal.

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