Wizards Expected to Steal Jazz Draft Target in Light of Beal Trade

In a move that shook up the NBA offseason for the first time this summer, the Washington Wizards made the long-awaited move to trade guard Bradley Beal. After a long decade playing in D.C., the 2x All-Star will now play alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker with the Phoenix Suns. It’s a move that effectively keeps the Suns as a top-five talent in the league, also signaling a full rebuild for the Wizards.

BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2023

It may not look like it on the surface, but this trade absolutely has some Utah Jazz implications. With the Wizards positioned just one spot ahead of Utah on draft night, they’ll have every opportunity to nab any one of the prospects the Jazz are set to make a pick on.

...and that's exactly what’s happening right now.

Washington made the move to trade their All-Star level guards positioning them in a place to draft a premier replacement to fill Bradley Beal’s role for the future. With little to no options on hand as the roster currently stands, it’s hard to imagine the front office decides to select anything but a young guard.

Who exactly could that guard be? Bleacher Report draft analyst, Jonathan Wasserman reports that Arkansas G Anthony Black seems to be the most likely pick for the Wizards.

"

While a Bradley Beal trade could throw a wrench into the Washington Wizards draft, rival teams don't believe they pass on Anthony Black at No. 8. Regardless, he's expected to be off the board by the time the

Dallas Mavericks

pick at No. 10, whether it's to Washington or the Utah Jazz."

-

Jonathan Wasserman, via

B/R

.

There is some high intrigue coming from the Jazz for a potential selection. If there’s a slim chance of Black being on the board past 10, Utah would be the last team who would be able to pick him up before falling that far. Based on the Jazz’s need for a guard, along with Black’s versatility, playmaking, and defense, he would fit pretty well as a future cornerstone for the franchise. However, this is becoming increasingly less likely of an outcome based on the Wizards’ new draft priorities.

Still, other high-level guards will be available for the Jazz at 9 if that’s the direction they’d like to lean with their first pick. Guys like Ausar Thompson, Cason Wallace, and Kobe Bufkin could be on the board when the Jazz are on the clock.

If the Jazz are serious about selecting Black though, it looks like a trade-up will have to be in play. Otherwise, Utah will need to pivot to a different direction.

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