Ex-NBA center shares wild Bradley Beal rumor

One former player is pouring some gasoline on the Bradley Beal hot stove.

Retired ex-Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut shared a wild rumor about Beal on his “Rogues Bogues” podcast this week. He said that Beal may be looking to team up with James Harden and Joel Embiid in Philadelphia.

“I’ve heard a pretty big rumor … from some people that are pretty close to the situation in the NBA: Big Three to Philly,” said Bogut, per NBC Sports. “Brad Beal is trying to get to Philadelphia in the offseason to team up with Harden and Embiid.

“Philly’s desperate, obviously, to try to get off [forward Tobias] Harris’ [deal] anyway,” Bogut added. “They have been for a while. And I think they’re even more desperate now to free up that cap space somehow. It’ll most likely have to be a sign-and-trade with Philly. But don’t be surprised if a Big Three forms in Philly. That’s the word on the street.”

Harris, who is owed $77 million over the next two seasons, has indeed been rumored to be a likely trade candidate this summer. He has become fourth-in-command for the 76ers lately behind Harden, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey.

As for Beal, the three-time Washington Wizards All-Star, there are several reasons why a move to Philly might not happen. For one, Beal has recently hinted that he would like to return to Washington, despite being eligible for free agency this summer. For another, Beal plays the same shooting guard position as Harden, leading to possible concerns about skillset redundancy.

Granted, Harden is one of the NBA’s leaders in assists this season and had experienced playing as a full-time point guard in Houston. Thus, a pairing with Beal could presumably work, maybe if Maxey is willing to be the sixth man. The Sixers have also been linked to Beal in the past, so Bogut’s rumor isn’t entirely out of the blue. If Beal, Harden, and Embiid, all of whom are still looking for their first NBA title, are looking to pull off a power move, that would certainly be one way of doing it.

Photo: Jan 30, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) warms up before the game between the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports