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There was a bit of nepotism involved in the Bradley Beal blockbuster trade.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Wizards star was being traded to the Phoenix Suns, which would form a new big 3 in the NBA.
BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are finalizing a trade to send All-Star G Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Beal’s waiving his no-trade to form a new Big 3 with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Teams are still working thru framework, but Beal is headed to Suns. pic.twitter.com/0lQrSh370q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2023
The Wizards were unable to get back a first-rounder in the deal due to the fact that Beal had leverage with his no-trade clause.
Suns are expected to send Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, multiple second-round picks and pick swaps to Wizards, sources tell ESPN. Phoenix has no available first-rounders to include in trade. Beal’s no-trade limited Wizards’ marketplace. Deal could take a few days to be finalized.
It was later revealed that Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein is the father of Suns GM Josh Bartelstein.
Bradley Beal’s agent: Mark Bartelstein.
Phoenix Suns CEO: Josh Bartelstein… Mark’s son. pic.twitter.com/qFFXSa2eXN
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 18, 2023
Fans were not happy because the deal went down on Father’s Day of all days.
"Extremely complicated" in that Beal's agent and the Suns CEO who are literal father and son and probably chilling together on Father's day, cooked this up and got the Wizards to bite on it probably by saying "Beal is only gonna go to the Suns, take it or he's sitting out all yr" https://t.co/ZQzYKlAti7
— przidnt🥭 (@przidnt1) June 18, 2023
This seems… unethical? Nepotism? #NBA #NBAtwitter #DCaboveall #WeAreTheValley https://t.co/6EQlP0vY8h
— MoneyBall Metrics (@MBMetrics) June 18, 2023
What a Father's Day moment for Mark & Josh Bartelstein https://t.co/fuiE5joYCR
— tzaMac 🔥 (@iamtzamac) June 18, 2023