There have been plenty of trade rumors centered around the Washington Wizards this NBA offseason. Following the trade of Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers, many presumed that Bradley Beal would be next.
Beal has been with the Wizards for the entirety of his nine-year career after being selected third overall in 2012. He has turned into one of the best shooting guards in the NBA over that time, but he has endured a lot of losing in Washington.
The team has qualified for the postseason five times during Beal’s career, advancing beyond the first round three times. With free agency potentially looming in 2022, as the 2022-23 season on his contract is a player option, rumors have swirled about whether he would request a trade.
Many mock trades were made this offseason that involved him leaving the team. The Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and Boston Celtics were popular landing spots. But, thus far, Beal has stayed true to wanting to remain with Washington.
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Some rumors popped up around the NBA Draft that he would request a trade then, giving the Wizards a chance to extract as much value as possible. It didn’t happen then, and an NBA executive isn’t sure it will ever happen.
An anonymous NBA executive shared their opinion on a potential outcome to the Beal rumors.
“To be honest, I don’t see a trade happening this year for Bradley Beal. He loves Washington, wants to stay in Washington and still thinks he can win in Washington. At least for now, I think he’s staying put.”
With the moves that the Washington Wizards made this offseason, that executive’s thinking seems to be correct. Washington added Spencer Dinwiddie to take over as the starting point guard as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
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All of the veterans they acquired from the Lakers, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell, are still with the team. Even the No. 22 overall pick, Isaiah Jackson, acquired from Los Angeles, was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Aaron Holiday, another young veteran, and Isaiah Todd, the No. 31 overall pick.
But, until Beal signs a contract extension that will keep him in Washington full-time, rumors will continue popping up about his future somewhere else.
