As the league is few sleeps away from the regular season, predictions are underway. On the other hand, teams get warmed up with the preseason games, working on the combinations as teams roped in new players. Following the Bradley Beal offseason trade, the Phoenix Suns’ chance at the championship had taken a new high. However, Nick Wright, a veteran TV personality, doesn’t feel the same. In fact, he picked Austin Reaves over Beal as the best 3rd guy to win a ring, ahead of LeBron James Vs Kevin Durant contest.
The NBA world hasn’t witnessed the LBJ vs KD contest in a while. To be precise, they went up against each other in 2018 Christmas Day game where Durant represented the Bay area. Following that, either KD or James suffered an injury and missed the opportunity for another match-up. Meanwhile, conspiracies and fan theories took over the hoops community. Well, the duo can finally break the myth, but the public attention seemed to be somewhere else.
Nick Wright picks LeBron James’ teammate over Bradley Beal
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Following his heroics in 2023 playoffs and FIBA WC performance, Austin Reaves created major waves in the NBA world. Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers also extended a four-year contract with him for $56 million. Around the same time, Chris Paul-less Phoenix Suns found a perfect third guy in Bradley Beal for $251 million deal. The deal has certainly improved the shooting prowess of the Suns, said fans online. However, Nick Wright seemed to have a different opinion.
Featuring on the latest episode of First Things First, Wright spoke about the 3rd guy involved in Lakers and Suns. Reaves and Beal. Going against the popular belief, he said, “If you’re trying to win a championship. I’d rather have us my third guy, Austin Reaves… than Bradley Beal,” considering the top two players of the Suns.
Nick Wright says he’d rather have Austin Reaves than Bradley Beal as the third option on a championship-contending team
(h/t @OfficialNBABuzz ) pic.twitter.com/39a2mTS5Rh
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 19, 2023
Wright had a similar opinion right after the Beal deal. He pointed out the lack of depth in the Suns and didn’t believe in the side. Unlike Suns, Lakers have a lot of depth on their side with a lot of role players.
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On the other hand, Beal seemed to have a pretty decent outing in the preseason.
Bradley Beal so far in the preseason
In the two games played ahead of the Thursday night game, Beal dropped 11 points each. Along with it, he came into side with a 11-year-long stint with the Washington Wizards. Even though he couldn’t have a chance at the ring, he definitely put up a show for the Wizard fans. He averages 22.1 points with a shooting percentage of 46%.
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We will have to wait to witness on determining the best 3rd guy of the team. Who do you think it is? Let us know in the comments below.