The extension that Beal signed in 2019 keeps him under team control through next season, with a $36.4MM player option for 2022/23. That gives the Wizards a little more time to build a competitive roster before facing the possibility of their best player walking away.
Bradley Beal may not be asking for a trade, but he’s clearly unhappy with the current situation in Washington. The Wizards star lashed out at his teammates Sunday after a 22-point loss to the Hornets, writes Chase Hughes of NBC Sports.
“We’ve gotta have some pride, man, some dog. We’ve got no dog. We just kind of let teams just walk all over us,” Beal said. “… It’s tough because we’re all adults. I can’t do it for guys. I can only do it for myself. All we can do is encourage the next man to be ready to go and accept the challenge. I can’t do that for someone else. I can’t do your guys’ job and you can’t do my job. You know what I’m saying?”
Beal is having a tremendous individual season, leading the NBA in scoring at 33.2 points per game, but it hasn’t translated into team success. The Wizards are 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 5-15 record and are in danger of sliding out of contention for even a play-in game. Much of that is attributable to injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak that forced nearly two full weeks of postponements, but Washington is only 2-7 since resuming play.
Among his post-game comments, Beal offered support for coach Scott Brooks, whose job is rumored to be in jeopardy because of the disappointing start. Beal said Brooks shouldn’t be blamed for the failure of the players.
“I mean, Coach is doing it,” Beal said. “You see the little signs he does. He’s benching guys, he’s taking guys out early. You would think that would kind of click and roll over for us, but it doesn’t.”
Any statement from Beal that expresses discontent will quickly lead to trade speculation. He has repeatedly pledged his loyalty to the organization, and the Wizards have made it clear that they won’t attempt to trade Beal unless he requests it. However, it may get harder to keep him happy as he considers the possibility of wasting one of his best years on a non-playoff team.
We better get to the dog, lieutenant.
–We have no dog, sir.
No dog?
–Just a bridge, sir.
Why the hell aren’t I notified about these things!
William Shatner and Bradley Beal?
He is basically telling everyone he wants out but he is trying to do it in a nice way.
Yup…taken the 1st step toward the door or towards a coaching change.
By now it’s been several steps to the door, based on public comments… depends on where the FO draws the line. As hard as it would be to separate Beal and Leonsis, this may be the way it goes for WAS this season.
Esp. if gets the team wins some near the trade deadline.
I recall how long it took Leonsis and Wall to want to divide, when Wall could not even get on court… then suddenly Wall could not get out fast enough!
Wizards have some really nice young players, Hachimura in particular looks very very good, but the timeline is off.
Do you trade to find complementary players or let Russell and Bradley go in exchange for young players and a pick?
Who is the right trade partner? Denver continually mentioned, but they have more than enough scoring – they need defense.
Steph Curry 3 pt FG
42.5% at 11.3 shot attempts
Beal 3 pt FG
34.5 at 7.6 shot attempts
So it looks like you’re saying they should trade Beal for Curry?
No
I am saying Curry is far better than Beal
I agree Beal for Curry and maybe some picks could work. Warriors get a huge upgrade on offense, and Wizards get a big name, sell some jerseys while fans can’t attend.
You know the warriors will never do that. Only way Beal ends up on the warriors is for Wiggins,Wiseman and picks…
Why not? “Untouchable” guys get traded all the time. Have to do what’s best for the organization otherwise it’s time to shake up the front office.
By focusing on one stat.
Not to mention the fact that Beal is more than 5 years younger plus Curry has a long history of injuries. Curry has a few years left, maybe, but Beal is a much better investment long term.
I think Beal deserves a lot of credit for being as professional as he’s been and remaining (at least publically) committed to the team. Theyve been bad for a long time and he’s stuck it out with them. In a league where it seems like every single superstar out there is demanding a trade every time the going gets tough… Beal deserves a LOT of credit for not doing that. Now having said all of that… the Wizards should probably seriously consider looking to trade him. Both for his sake (so he doesn’t wind up wasting his entire career on a team that can’t make the playoffs) and so that the situation doesn’t wind up getting to a point where he does actually demand a trade and thus limit his value by forcing their hand. I mean at this point maybe he’s just not that kind of guy and has too much dignity to go out and pull a Harden on them… but still… the teams timeline doesn’t line up with his and unless they can somehow bring in additional ‘win now pieces’ I think it’s probably better for both parties to part ways. Get a ‘bucket full’ of assets for him to build for the future and let him go somewhere that he can really make a difference. He’s obviously an amazingly talented scorer and would boost pretty much every teams starting lineup he’d go to. So give him a break and send him somewhere he can really make a run in the playoffs.
Send him to the Lakers for Kuzma. Don’t think about it, just do it! There’s no time to lose! Remember, no thinking! I hope my next leap…will be the leap home…
Laker fans want him for nothing. Beal makes 28 million and Kuzma is only making 4 million. A lot more needs to go to the wizards. Throw in Schroder and Harrel and the deal is equal.
If you took my comment seriously for even a second, the joke would be on you.
For Kuzma? What is the name of the planet you are on?
Edit: well in that case hard to tell sarcasm based on most trade proposals suggested on here.
A couple clues may have been me telling them not to think and ending the comment with a Quantum Leap reference. I thought it was pretty clear that it wasn’t a serious comment. Your question was legitimate, though. Unfortunately, the name and location of my home planet are classified. I could tell you, but…well, you likely know the rest.
Huge overpay. The Wizards would obviously need to throw in Rui as well
Trade Westbrook for Lonzo Redick and Bledsoe plus picks
Those Pelicans have little value
Picks are centerpiece
Westbrook is an anchor on team success.
You can trade him for Blake Griffin, or players who also have negative contract value.
You’re not getting any of that from the Pels, and you’re not getting picks, you’re giving them up.
What is success the Next 4 years?
IMO
In California, you are successful if you win the West
In Texas, you are successful if you make the playoffs
So the Clippers, Kings, and Warriors are all contenders to win the West just like the Lakers are? None of those three have a chance.
Up until a few days ago the Clips had a better record than the Lakers. I’d say they at least have a chance.
I was gonna suggest Blake but his value is so low I am not sure. But as a Pistons fan I would do it in a second.
How does this trade benefit either team? I’ll wait…
I see it benefits both. Westbrook may more potent of a player to get Pels over the hump. Lonzo, Bled. Reddick are nice rebuild assets.
Westbrook has looked like garbage this year and is getting older every day. Pelicans do not need more interior offense. No thanks.
His team is 3-3 when he sits out and 2-12 when he plays. Both wins with Westbrook in the lineup were against the Nets by a total of 4 points. Saying he looks like garbage is an insult, to the garbage.
Lol
That is not bad.
Beal to the nuggets…
Wizards would be fools to keep him or westbrook past the deadline. Beals value is sky high now. They could easily get the Minny pick from GS and maybe even Wiseman. And that is just one example of the mass value of Beal. Why hold him on a bottom 3 team that likely will finish the same for the remainder of his contract? They could have 2 top 5 picks in this years draft and a stud prospect. Not to mention added assets from Westbrook. CLEAN HOUSE!! PUSH RESET.
Why??? Well the wiz don’t have a plan, that’s why they would hold onto him…
I am a Beal fan… but I must say this comments are a bit disappointing from him…
He seems to imply he is been a dog this season, which he has in the O… not so much in the D, not to say not at all, right?
Meanwhile he is throwing all his teammates under the bus, & that ain’t very good.
I mean I am all for him staying, not been traded & all, but he have to be happy with that, he can’t keep coming out every single week, week in & week out moaning, crying, whining, boohooing about how bad the team is & how much he hates to lose!
As I said, he is a legend for wanting to stay, but just be happy man, if you are gonna cry me a river every time WAS loses a game, which happens almost always this season, just please leave… go somewhere you will be happy, man!
There is no such thing as a happy moaner!
Well why is the FO holding him hostage when there is a kings ransom available for him in the trade market?
“…go somewhere you will be happy…”
Yes, because Beal is in control of the front office. Perhaps he wanted to win with Washington and he’s disappointed his teammates have been underachieving. Even if he wants to get traded, he can’t do anything about it until Washington cooperates (unless he pulls a Harden, but I have faith that Beal is classy enough to continue playing hard regardless of the circumstances)
Not looking good in Wash. Brooks has to take a lot of blame. Not even the Westbrook deal Hs gone well. Their team D us what’s let them down. If they played better D and were better closers. They could have 4 more wins. Still it’s not looking good going forward. Could end up firing Brooks. Trading Beal and Westbrook. And just move forward with youth. We all know Beal deal brings in a haul.
Refreshing to see a player back their coach
Westbrook to NO ….. Zion, Brook, BI. (Nola3)
Adams, Lonzo, future #1. Lakers 2022 pick will be bottom of 1st rd (25-30). They have plenty future picks.
Im not a fan of always going rebuild at the drop of a hat but really this is one instance Id really just cash in the chip at this deadline and not think twice
You have to wonder if Westbrook just retires after 23 ….cant imagine he would even get the MLE in 24 ….prolly closer to the Bi annual and coming off making 47 mill the year prior you have to wonder if its even worth it for him….He should start setting up his next career moves now while he still has a platform
It has been long overdue to move Bradley Beal. I have to attach the ridiculous contract they gave Davis Bertans to the trade as well. Westbrook is so bad. Westbrook continues to show the world how meaningless triple-double’s are as he still gets one every time he hits the floor. Westbrook would still be serviceable if he could actually make free throws. He cannot!! Westbrook drawing fouls on his drives to the hole is doing the opponent a favor at this point. I would immediately stretch and waive Westbrook following the Brad Beal trade. Need to look long and hard at Charlotte as a Beal trade partner. They want to win now. Take back LaMelo Ball, picks and bad contracts to make the money work. Hayward and Beal. It is what it is. Washington gets Ball who will put up numbers and not care in any way, shape or form that the team is losing.
I wouldnt deflate the Beal package with Bertans
Id look to Deal Bertans for a shorter worse contract that ends in 2.5 yrs with Westbrook-
I do think theres a good chance Westy gets waived in 23 possibly, but they probably make a final ditch effort to showcase him all 22 to try and trade for expiring nothings…it probably wont work as he will get hurt or just nobody will want that 47 mill option in 23…..This IS NOT Chris Paul
I dont like the stretch move here, hardly ever do (hating the Batum one this year) ; just take the lumps next couple years and be completely free by end of 23
Not sure Westbrook and Zion duo meshes well Russ is a point center in a 6’3 body and can’t consistently shoot. Zion doesn’t shoot consistently either from the 3 yet
That’s what happens when your coach wont play your only decent defenders