As expected Bradley Beal has opted out of his $36.4 million player option. The three-time All-Star is now an unrestricted free agent. However, he is eligible for the super max contract if he re-signs with the Wizards.
Estimations of the total value have varied, in part due to the uncertainty of the NBA salary cap. On Wednesday, ESPN revealed the league’s salary cap for the 2022-23 season is set at $123.6 million for each team. That’s an $11.6 million increase from the previous season.
The salary cap increase affects the formula used to calculate the league’s max contracts. Beal is eligible for the super max thus the total value of a potential deal with the Wizards increases from $247.6 to $251 million over five years. That’s an annual average value of $50.2 million. It would be the largest deal in NBA history.
Beal could sign with another team on a four-year deal. He’s played each of his first 10 seasons with Washington. He recently said he wants a chance to win. However, the extra money may just be too much to pass on.
The Wizards are expected to meet with Beal when the NBA’s free agency starts at 6 PM Thursday.
