Bradley Beal has become the most mentioned player in trade rumors. Given the stature of the Washington Wizards, who appear stuck in NBA purgatory with a bad roster and loaded contracts. Contenders such as Denver, Golden State and Brooklyn appear interested in the Wizards’ star guard, according ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
However, Lowe adds Washington is not looking to trade Beal unless requests to play elsewhere.
Beal has been loyal to Washington and is signed through the 2021-22 season. He is owed a just over $63.2 million over the course of the next two seasons before his player option in the Summer of 2022. Still, teams are not giving up on Beal becoming available sooner.
Beal has emerged as one of the best shooting guards in the NBA over the past two years. Last season, he had the second-highest scoring average in the NBA with a career-high of 30.5 points per game. He also averaged 6.1 assists.
Yet, the Wizards failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season. Also, he was not voted to the All-NBA team or All-Star Game, presumably in large due to the Wizards’ team struggles. Him possibly wasting his talents in a bad situation is largely why teams may be trying to pry him away from Washington.
The Wizards are banking on the return of five-time All-Star John Wall, who is returning from a torn Achilles, to reunite with Beal for a chance to contend in East. Beal has consistently insisted he is committed to building the Wizards back into contenders.
However, he recently admitted he signed a 1+1 extension to give himself “some flexibility” in case the Wizards aren’t winning.
