The Washington Wizards have been adamant about keeping Bradley Beal and building around him. On July 26, the Wizards can offer Beal a three-year extension worth up to $111 million, however, an extension is “not viewed as a done deal,” according to Candace Buckner of the Washington Post.
“The team has indicated it plans to give Beal the offer, and both the player’s camp and the franchise have remained in contact throughout the summer. Around the league, however, the extension is not viewed as a done deal, and there is a growing belief that Beal will not remain in Washington for his entire career.”
Beal, 26, has two years and $55.8 million remaining on his current deal. After missing out of an All-NBA nod, Beal missed out on a chance at a super max extension.
He still has an opportunity next season. However, the landscape of the Wizards has changed.
With John Wall suffering a torn Achilles, the Wizards have hit the reset button. Since February, the Wizards have traded Otto Porter Jr. for Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker. They have allowed both Portis and Parker to walk in free agency.
Tomas Satoransky, Trevor Ariza, and Jeff Green also signed elsewhere in free agency, as the Wizards cut down payroll to avoid the luxury tax.
Signing an Isaiah Thomas, who is looking to rejuvenate his fallen career, as well acquiring CJ Miles, Moe Wagner, and Davis Bertans in trades may be considered a step back from the previous core. And while young drafted players, Rui Hachimara, Troy Brown Jr., and Admiral Schofield are enticing, that may not be enough to convince Beal to want to stay.
Meanwhile, Miami, New Orleans, and the Los Angeles Clippers each have reportedly inquired about Beal this summer, however, unsuccessfully.
Wizards’ interim president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard said trading Beal has “never crossed our mind. Bradley is somebody we’re building around.”
That may all change if Beal rejects any extension offer. Beal has been non-committal on record about staying with Washington.
“I’d be naive to say I wouldn’t be (interested in extension talks),” Beal told The Washington Post last month. “Washington is where I’ve been the last seven years, going on eight. It would be great to play in one place forever. But at the same time, you want to win and make sure you’re in a position to do so. I’m definitely going to evaluate who we hire as the GM and who we pick up on the team. All that plays a factor.”
This NBA off-season has been highlighted with numerous superstar players changing teams via trade such as Russell Westbrook to Houston, Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Paul George to the Clippers. If Bradley Beal rejects an extension offer, he may be back in the limelight of the trade market.
