The Washington Wizards made it clear this offseason that their number one priority was to get an extension done with shooting guard Bradley Beal. Beal is entering the final year of his rookie deal in which he will make $5.7 million but both sides want to work out a deal that will prevent him from free agency. While the two sides have been discussing a potential deal for a while it is being reported that there isn't much progress being made in the extension talks, according to J Michael of CSN Washington.
The Wizards have until the start of the 2015-16 season to get an extension done with Beal or else he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Having Beal become a restricted free agent next offseason would still give the Wizards the advantage to re-sign him but it would let other teams set the market for his value. If the Wizards want to keep him at their price they will likely have to get an extension done in the next couple of months.
Beal is reportedly looking for something close to a maximum contract while Washington is weary of giving him that much. The main reason the Wizards are hesitant on this deal is Beal's injury history. The 22 year old shooting guard has had a stress reaction in his lower leg in each of his first three NBA seasons and the Wizards are concerned that may continue to happen.
Even on the court the Wizards have their concerns about Beal. They reportedly don't think he gets to the free throw line enough to be able to provide enough offense and they didn't like that Beal took somewhat of a step back last season. In 63 games a season ago Beal averaged 15.3 points per game while making 43 percent of his field goals and 41 percent of his threes. Those shooting percentages were career highs for Beal but he only attempted 166 free throws which is almost 200 less than John Wall attempted.
Beal is still an extremely young player who has shown a lot of promise in his three NBA seasons. He looks like he can be on the verge of superstardom but the Wizards clearly have their concerns. It is very possible that Washington lets Beal play out the final year of his contract and then gives him the deal he wants after the season if he proves he is healthy and shows improvement. Beal will certainly be extra motivated this season as a good year will likely fetch him a maximum contract while a bad year can lose him a lot of money.
