The comments made Monday by president of basketball operations Tommy Sheppard seemed to indicate the Wizards don’t have any reservations about giving Bradley Beal a full maximum-salary contract, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column. Beal, who missed the final 33 games of the season because of an injured left wrist, is eligible for a new five-year deal worth a projected $247MM+.
Stein states that Sheppard had “ebullience” when talking about Beal and the chance to team him up with Kristaps Porzingis next season. Beal has to make a decision by next week on a $36.4MM player option for 2022/23, but it sounds like a long-term offer will be waiting no matter what he does with the option.
Sheppard said Beal can be a franchise centerpiece and notes that he has improved his defense and become more versatile since he arrived in the NBA. He points out that Beal can handle either backcourt spot, adding, “We have no problem playing Bradley Beal at point guard.”
There’s more from Stein:
- While the Knicks would like to clear cap space before free agency kicks off, Stein has heard strong rumblings that they’re prepared to sign Mitchell Robinson to a new multiyear contract. The fourth-year center is coming off his best NBA season, averaging 8.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 72 games, and his minimum-salary cap hold means that retaining him won’t complicate any efforts to create cap room. Stein confirms a report that New York is looking for takers for Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, along with Kemba Walker, to make a run at a free agent guard like Jalen Brunson or possibly Kyrie Irving.
- Appearing Monday on Spotify Live, Stein suggested that the Bulls are the most likely destination if the Jazz decide to trade Rudy Gobert. He clarifies that statement in today’s column, saying Chicago has “ongoing reservations” about dealing for Gobert, while the Raptors are still a team to watch. Stein adds that Gobert isn’t considered a sure thing to be traded this summer.
- In the wake of Kenny Atkinson‘s decision to remain with the Warriors, the Hornets are still in the market for someone with experience as a head coach, such as Mike D’Antoni, the other finalist, who is scheduled to meet with owner Michael Jordan today. Stein suggests that family reasons factored into Atkinson’s decision, as did the fact that Golden State was willing to pay him more than assistant coaches usually make.
Beal is not a PG, that’s part of why his numbers were down. Let him play off the ball and just get buckets..
Beal is a combo guard just like 85 percent of modern guards. He’s equally effective with or without the ball.
His team isn’t equally as effective with him on or off the ball, unfortunately. I agree with Rip city, Beal is an off ball player.
New York is looking for takers for Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel, along with Kemba Walker, to make a run at a free agent guard like Jalen Brunson or possibly Kyrie Irving.
Trade them to Magic or Pistons?
So you do read the article on occasion.
Vexing, huh
Beal may have gotten marginally better on defense since he entered the league, but only because he could not have gotten worse. I think Sheppard has done a good job as GM, though just about any living breathing human being would have improved on Ernie Grunfeld. However I don’t understand the deification of Beal. Leonsis loves him and my guess is he’s given Sheppard instructions to sign him so Sheppard’s probably just bowing to reality. Unfortunately signing Beal is going to hamstring the team for years.
MJ and the Hornets are a joke. What do you expect if you dont allow your new head coach to bring in his own assistants and pay the assistants well?? Atkinson wasnt willing to compromise his principles and short change his assistants. Head coaching will always be there for Atkinson, he has to make sure it’s a good one because it could be his last.
I agree, well said.
i hope we dont give up patt williams for gobert
If what I hear is right ab the Gobert package… when you go down the rabbit hole its 7 1st round picks essentially for Gobert. WCJ, Otto Porter 2 firsts netted Vucevic then they will deal White, Patrick, and a 1st.
There’s another package I heard that involves Alex Curuso and likely another player plus 2 firsts. The Bulls only have the one, so they’re trying to get another. It’s not clear who that other player is. Could be Vucevic for salary purposes.