3x All-Star Bradley Beal has been the subject of trade rumors for years now, and it looks like it will stay that way for a while.
In a chat with the media this week, the sharpshooting guard spoke about his future in D.C., refusing to make a serious long-term commitment to the organization — at least, for now.
“My biggest thing is getting us off going to a good start,” Beal said, per Ava Wallace of the Washington Post. “We worry about the contract money and all that later. I’ll let them deal with it when the time comes, for sure. I got all year to sign, too. So I’m not in a rush.”
Beal’s loyalty is an enigma in today’s NBA. During a time where stars are constantly moving to greener pastures, Beal remains the star of a small-market team with low expectations.
Not even Russell Westbrook could convince him to leave.
And before Westbrook resorted to calling Leonsis, he had tried to convince Beal in the weeks leading up to the draft that they should both ask out of Washington, according to sources. Short of Beal showing a desire to also request a trade, Westbrook was hopeful Beal would at least support his efforts to get to L.A. — which, sources said, Beal did.
In 9 years with the Wizards, Beal has rotated through a number of different teammates, including John Wall and (most recently) Westbrook.
Through it all, the Wizards have mostly been a blip on the Eastern Conference road map, struggling to gain traction and cement themselves as legitimate contenders.
This season, with no co-star at all, Beal and the Wizards once against find themselves being counted out of the title race.
The odds are certainly against them, but so long as Washington has Beal’s loyalty, they’ll always have a chance to shock the world.
