Wizards general manager Tommy Shepphard has reaffirmed his confidence that All-Star Bradley Beal will remain with the franchise next season, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington writes.
Several teams have expressed interest in trading for Beal, 27, but Washington has rebuffed all offers to this point. The team seems intent on keeping Beal and placing him alongside John Wall in the backcourt next season. Wall hasn’t played since December of 2018 due to various injuries.
“Brad absolutely has been committed to us. Last summer, he signed an extension with us. I think we’re absolutely committed to him. The biggest thing we ask for each other is ‘Hey, let’s go win,'” Sheppard said.
“He and I have been a straight line of communication throughout the offseason. He’s really excited for next season. He hasn’t given any indication whatsoever on that and I wouldn’t expect to hear about it from anybody but him. He and I have always been straight-line. And I think he’s as committed to D.C. as he always has been.”
Beal is owed $28.7MM next season and $34.5MM in 2021/22 with the Wizards, with a player option worth $37.2MM in the following season. He averaged a career-high 30.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game last season, good for the second-highest scoring average in the NBA.
There’s more from the Southeast Division tonight:
- Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel explores whether the Heat have any untouchable players entering the draft and free agency. Miami acquired its best player, Jimmy Butler, through the trade market in 2019, one way for the franchise to upgrade its roster to push for contention.
- Winderman examines in a separate story how Kelly Olynyk‘s $13.2MM player option holds the key to the Heat’s offseason and cap space. If he exercises his option, Miami could use Olynk’s deal in a potential trade between now and the start of the season — or even during the campaign. Should Olynyk opt out, however, the Heat would benefit from receiving additional cap space for free agency. The team could also choose to keep Olynyk as a backup center if he exercises the option.
- Tyler Byrum of NBC Sports Washington explores potential Wizards draft targets that may fit the model of last year’s Rui Hachimura pick. Washington drafted Hachimura with the No. 9 pick in 2019, seeing the 22-year-old average 13.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his rookie season. The team once again owns the ninth selection in this year’s draft.
Assumptions
1. Simmons, Booker, Beal and good players are not available for Wolves No. 1 pick.
2. Wolves really don’t know how to draft the best.
What should the Wolves do?
Knicks, Pistons and Cavs are making the phone calls to trade up for No 1?
I don’t see a future with Wall and Beal. You are going to have to max guys on an eight seed. At 31 (Walk) Wizards will never make East finals. During his contract. Best thing is to move Beal. While his value is at all time high. They could get #1 pick (Wiseman) plus. And have their future secure. Wall can lead them back to prominence. Wiseman, Rui, Bertans is a solid front line. Could even luck out with 9th pick, Hayes.
I bet the wizards will make the playoffs next year they just need a better center
I think the Wall Beal Hachimura Wizards even if they add a good centre and draft alright will still AT BEST be a 4-0 first round swept team.
East have Bucks Nets Celtics Raptors then Sixers Heat Pacers as top 7 then outside of that there’s the up and coming hawks, and a magic team which try their best but suck too.
If the Wizards want to keep Bradley Beal and build something that’s more competitive then the key is trading away John Wall.
I’d try Terry Rozier, Malik Monk and Cody Zeller for John Wall and 2 second round picks.
From my mock I have them taking Onyeka Okungwu or trading back with Boston and taking Tyrell Terry
1. Rozier. Smith. Terry
2. Beal. Robinson
3. Brown Jr. Jackson
4. Hachimura. Wagner
5. Zeller. Bryant
From a Charlotte fan’s perspective I don’t hate the structure of the trade, but I do hate the timing. I think Wall has some good basketball left in him but he is 31. Charlotte is probably two years away yet, so you’d be acquiring Wall to waste two of the good years he still has. All the while he probably does make them a bit better, potentially hurting their draft position. I just don’t feel like the timing is right for a deal of this nature.