Bradley Beal has been the subject of trade rumors in the media this offseason. Beal signed a contract extension in October of 2019 worth $72 million over two seasons. Beal could have signed for one additional season but he instead can become a free agent in 2022.

Beal openly talked about the trade rumors during a podcast appearance this week.

"When I'm playing and see those things, I don't let it bother me," he said this week on "The Old Man & The Three" podcast. "I feel like early in my career, it probably would have.

"But now, it's a place of just understanding your value, understanding you're wanted -- especially by teams who want to win, teams who want to win a championship."

The Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets are among the teams who have been linked with Beal.

"Teams are trying. A lot of them are calling, a lot of them are inquiring and putting packages together -- trying to see if they can get me," he explained. "That's not a secret. They've been doing that for the last couple of years.

"I don't view it as a distraction. It's kind of a sign of respect and motivation too. Keep doing what you're doing, keep playing hard, keep being the professional that you are. People like that, people are gravitating towards you.

"Understand what you have here (with the Wizards), but understand that you're wanted elsewhere too. So just understanding your value and appreciating it."

NBA teams have largely moved away selling first round picks over the past decade as the league's financials have improved across the board since the 2011 CBA that made the revenue split for favorable for owners and also the spike in revenues from far larger national television contracts. 

The Denver Nuggets were the last team to sell a first round pick when in 2013 they sold the pick that would become Rudy Gobert to the Utah Jazz.

With the league's revenues down due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, selling draft picks could be an easy way for financially tenuous teams to generate instant revenue and is something teams are monitoring heading into the November 18th draft. 

"People are interested to see how the draft unfolds this year in a pandemic where a lot of teams are losing money," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "Like, will some teams sell draft picks? I don't think we'll see a first round pick sold. The fallout from that is so negative with your fanbase. But I do think we'll see teams at the bottom of the first round try to trade for future first rounders to get out of the obligation now, but not sell, sell. Second rounders thought they'll sell."

The Houston Rockets are not interested in trading James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in a package centered around Ben Simmons. With Daryl Morey joining the 76ers, there has been speculation he might attempt to acquire Harden with his new team.

"I've already been told with a few expletives included by somebody with the Rockets: 'No, Daryl, James Harden for Ben Simmons is not happening. Don't ask,' said Tim MacMahon on the Brian Windhorst podcast.

"It's not up to the Rockets, is it?" replied Windhorst, referring to the possibility of Harden asking for a trade at some point.

"The answer is no on that," added MacMahon on whether Houston would trade Harden for Simmons.

MacMahon previously reported this week that the Rockets are 100 percent committed to continuing to build around Harden.

The Indiana Pacers have discussed a potential Victor Oladipo trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

At this point, a deal between the Pacers and Bucks seems unlikely.

Oladipo has one season remaining on his current contract with the Pacers.

Milwaukee is expected to be aggressive this offseason in improving its roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

The future of James Harden with the Houston Rockets has been speculated about following the departures of Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey this offseason coupled with the team's limited ways of improving their roster and the tenuous financial situation of Tilman Fertitta.

The Rockets cashed in most of their remaining trade chips over the past year-and-a-half for Russell Westbrook during the 2019 offseason and then Robert Covington ahead of the 2020 trade deadline. 

"What I can say is right now the Rockets are 100 percent committed to trying to cash in on James Harden's prime," said Tim MacMahon on The Woj Pod. "They consider him the best player in the league, which you know... He's without question a perennial MVP candidate. That's just a simple fact. They're going to try to win a championship as long as he's at that level and as long as he's on board.

"I think at this point it's probably a year to year deal. If I'm speculating, I'm going to say that decision is more than likely made by James Harden instead of made by the Rockets. In other words, it could get to a point... And I don't believe this is imminent. Again, I think it's a year-to-year situation where at some point James Harden, who has tried repeatedly to pair with a superstar to give him a chance to a championship: first Dwight [Howard], then Chris Paul and now with Russ. If James Harden wants to pair with another superstar, he's probably going to have to be the one to pack his bags. Is that next offseason? Is that the offseason after that? We'll see. Obviously a lot of that depends on what happens with the Rockets over these next one or two years."

Harden can become a free agent in 2022.

Victor Oladipo would be happy to sign a contract extension with the Indiana Pacers if they could agree to terms, but a source says joining the Miami Heat would be No. 1 on his list should he leave as a free agent in 2021.

The level of interest from the Heat depends on how Oladipo returns from his injury and also the team's ability to sign a superstar free agent such as Giannis Antetokounmpo. Oladipo lives in Miami in the offseason.

The Pacers could explore trading Oladipo before he hits free agency, but it is doubtful the Heat would sacrifice significant assets in a trade for him at this point.

Oladipo suffered a ruptured quad tendon in January 2019.

The New York Knicks are reportedly open to trading for "undesirable contracts" in order to acquire assets, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

The Knicks could have more than $60 million of cap space this offseason depending on what they do with several player options.

NBA teams are still waiting for a final number on next season's cap, with that information expected later this week.

SNY adds that there is no consensus on whether the Knicks will look to compete next season or play for the 2021 draft.

The Knicks have been linked with trades for Chris Paul, Victor Oladipo, and Russell Westbrook thus far. 

The Dallas Mavericks had a trade in place with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline for Danilo Gallinari, but the deal fell through when he signaled he would test free agency and not agree to an extension.

The Miami Heat were also interested in trading for Gallinari at the deadline. 

Gallinari is unlikely to re-sign with the Thunder and they could agree to a sign-and-trade with Dallas. Sign-and-trade agreements must be for a minimum of three seasons. 

The Dallas Mavericks have signaled to other teams that they would like to acquire a third star to add to their core of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, according to multiple league sources.

All players on the Mavericks are available beyond Doncic and Porzingis. Dallas would also be willing to take on bad salary from another team to help facilitate a trade, which runs counter to their previously perceived preference to maximize their 2021 cap space to pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

The Mavericks own the 18th and 31st picks in the draft and have a strong desire to trade into the lottery.

The Charlotte Hornets draft third overall and would like to select James Wiseman and would consider trading up for him.

Both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are open to trading down from No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The Hornets could offer the 32nd overall pick and future selections. 

Cody Zeller is the only center on Charlotte's roster signed for 20-21 as he enters the final season of his four-year, $56 million deal.

Anthony Edwards is considered the backup plan if Wiseman isn't available to the Hornets.