The Washington Wizards have been trying to break into the top tier of Eastern Conference teams for a few seasons now and have yet to take the next step. This year is no different as the Wizards sit in the No.10 spot in the playoff standings. If the Wizards miss out on the postseason after a disappointing finish last year, changes could be coming to the team. Bradley Beal will not be one of them.
Beal is going to be a restricted free agent in July. The Wizards previously offered the shooting guard a contract less than the maximum value, which Beal naturally declined in hopes of getting a max contract when the salary caps increase. Beal and John Wall have combined to make a very dynamic backcourt for the Wizards, but injuries have prevented it from being consistent. Rumors began to swirl that the Wizards might let Beal walk this summer, something sources are denying being true.
The Wizards are expected to match any contract placed on Beal this summer. The shooting guard will get offered a max contract from some team and Washington is expected to simply match the offer and retain Beal for the future. He is currently averaging 18 points per game while shooting 38.1 percent from long range. Even with his injuries, the Wizards want to keep that around.
Injuries are becoming normal for Beal. The shooting guard has missed various amounts of time for several issues. Since arriving in 2012, he's missed a total of 73 games, and this season has been no different. Beal is currently out with a sprained pelvis. Head coach Randy Wittman remained positive about the injury, making it clear that Beal would not miss much time or have his minutes limited.
"How do you know we're not going to play with him for a long stretch?" Wittman said. "I always think positive. Not negatively. He's going to be with us. Next question."
The injuries do not seem to be impacting Beal's future contract situation with the Wizards, but will Kevin Durant be the factor that keeps the shooting guard from returning? Beal will want nothing short of a max deal, which could be impacted by the chase of Durant. The Wizards believe they have a leg up to sign the soon-to-be free agent because Durant is originally from the Washington area. Wall confirmed that the Wizards were entering the chase. If Durant favors the Wizards, Beal could be the odd man out if his contract demands are too high.
"I know what our goal is, to try to go after Kevin, which is not a bad situation. But my ultimate goal is this year. I ain't trying to waste a season," Wall said.
The Wizards will have the cap space to sign someone to a max deal, but not both Beal and Durant. There is no guarantee that the Wizards are able to win the Durant race, which is why the team is planning to retain Beal as insurance.
