Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Washington, D.C–
For quite some time now, everyone around the league has been talking the about where Bradley Beal should go!! Today we learned will not take the money and go elsewhere as some people had said. It was always, big time players will lure him away from the city, the Wizards won’t win with this backcourt combination. Beal’s agent Mark Bertelstein of Priority Sports confirmed that his isn’t going anywhere.
Beal’s new deal worth up to $72 million will keep him in D.C through the 2021-22 season and perhaps also keep him from testing the free agent market with a player option in 2022 that could guarantee him $130 million over the next 4 years.
Its clear that new General Manager Tommy Sheppard means business and he is focused on building a team that can finally make something happen here in D.C. Perhaps Beal and his team can finally see that backing of a strong team foundation is going to happen and with the return of a healthy John Wall next season along with Rui in the line-up, there are some good things happening in D.C.
Beal, has also been on the most likeable players on and off the court in the DMV and has done tons for the community during the off season that has given him a chance to plant his talents with a team that needs a player like him locked in long term.
His numbers of 25.6 points per game and 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per were career high numbers and could have factored into the contract numbers. If he declines his player option in 2022, he could fetch more money on the free agent market, but if the Wizards are at full strength next season, many would wonder why he would seek an option for more money than what this contract currently delivers.
