The commitment that Bradley Beal has to the Washington Wizards has been incredible. The Wizards took a chance on the Florida product with the third-overall pick back in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Now, Beal is one of the best scorers in the game and has done a lot of good for D.C. It is time that contract talks come back into discussion and Beal is not worried just yet.
Beal signed a two-year extension with the Wizards back in 2019. This left him with an option that if declined, he would have a chance to sign a max deal.
Beal has said that he has been selfless by making a commitment to Washington and if he were to sign that deal, it would be selfish. This is not what he has been throughout his career. This shows since he has stuck with the Wizards through the down years.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal Addresses Future With Wizards — Wants Flexibility
Washington traded John Wall to the Houston Rockets at the beginning of last season. It was assumed that the front office was going to blow it up completely but decided to hang onto Beal.
The team ended up making a run to the postseason. In the offseason, Washington moved Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for a return headlined by Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
All of a sudden, the Washington Wizards are back in the postseason mix and this makes for an interesting situation for Bradley Beal. If Washington was declining, it should have been an easy decision for the 28-year-old scorer. Now, there are some other aspects to consider.
The Washington Wizards are currently in the top half of the Eastern Conference. This is not to say that they are ready to compete with the Brooklyn Nets or Milwaukee Bucks but they have gotten out of the gate quick and are looking like postseason contenders. This is the main component.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal Addresses Future With Wizards — Wants Flexibility
Beal has never been on a team that has been a serious championship contender. In today’s NBA, teams are loading superstars and there are plenty that would want Beal to join them.
If Beal signs an extension with the Wizards and they begin losing once again, he is stuck and the situation complicates further. Also, he is set to make more money the longer he waits.
There is a real chance that Beal would land more money in the offseason rather than signing an extension with Washington prior. This would also allow Beal to get a better sense of the direction of the franchise and who will be around long term. The core that they are relying on now seem to be clicking well to this point.
If you are a Wizards’ fan, the thought process is simple. Do not expect Beal to sign an extension this season. If he does — great but it remains highly unlikely. If the team keeps winning, there is a good chance he is persuaded to stay. If they lose, then you are right back where you were two years ago.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal Addresses Future With Wizards — Wants Flexibility
Either way, only time will tell. Something to hang your hat on is that Bradley Beal has discussed the topic and seems to be open about discussion. After all of this time, he does not seem like he will leave the Washington Wizards in the dark.
