'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Russell Westbrook
The first domino to fall in Washington this summer could be Russell Westbrook. Mr. Triple-Double had an unbelievable campaign for the franchise, averaging 22 points, 11.7 assists and 11.5 rebounds. However, the franchise lacks maneuverability in the market due to Westbrook and Beal's huge contracts. Therefore, they are not going to be a side that can turn into title contenders overnights, something Westbrook will be all too wary of.
There are plenty of teams around the NBA who need an on-ball creator who can do it all. Westbrook led the league in assists this season and is a ferocious competitor on both ends of the floor. He will be desperate to join a winning team with the chance to earn a ring, something that has eluded him up until now in his otherwise stellar career.
The only problem for the 32-year-old is his aforementioned contract. Westbrook is due to receive a whopping $44m next year before his player option ahead of the 2022-23 season. Nobody is disputing that he is not worth that money, because he certainly is. However, teams such as the LA Lakers that have been linked with him will find it exhaustive to bring him in and would have to part ways with a number of assets to do so.
#2 Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal's future in Washington is very much dependent on Westbrook's. The 28-year-old is currently mulling over what to do after it was reported that he may request a trade prior to the NBA draft on Thursday. However, there have been no further developments on this story.
As mentioned, the Wizards are not able to compete right now for a title and may not be during Beal's prime years. They certainly won't be if Westbrook leaves and Beal is left to carry an even heavier load than he did this year, scoring over 30 points a night.
Therefore, it is time for the shooting guard to part ways with the organization that picked him up 3rd overall in the 2012 draft. Beal will want to make sure that he can make an impact on postseason games while in his prime scoring form, and will be eligible to sign a 35% max deal in 2022. Should he become available, like Westbrook, he will demand a lot of interest in the market and could cause an all-out war for his signature around the league.
#1 Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been without a doubt one of the best players in the Portland Trail Blazers' history. After his Rookie of the Year campaign, he has been named an All-Star six times and has made six All-NBA teams. His serial scoring and ability to make clutch shots have helped the organization reach the postseason for eight straight seasons and finish third in the West twice.
However, in four of the past five years, the team have dropped out of the playoffs in the first round. Even when they did get to the Conference Finals in 2018, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors.
With rumored disgruntlement at the franchise's hiring of new coach Chauncy Billups, it could be time for Lillard to move on. Indeed, teams around the league are waiting patiently for the time to come that he wants out, at which point, they will come flocking with huge trade packages.
