As most teams gear up for training camp, there are still some players whose future could be discussed in the following months.
One of them is Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards who seems to be holding off talks about his future with the Wizards for now. This early, his situation is being likened to someone who went through the same, his backcourt partner John Wall.
Wall went through the same thing in 2013. The dust settled only when Wall’s reps had sat down with team president Ernie Grunfeld to discuss the fate of the All Star guard. In the end, Wall got a five-year $80 million deal which started last season.
Could Beal be destined to do the same?
The difference is that while the two pose one of the better backcourt duos in the NBA despite the lack of ceiling, they are individually different. Wall is a proven all-around player and someone who can make his teammates look good.
Beal is a good player but certainly far from that of Wall. He can score but somehow lacks the repertoire that could align him as someone who deserves a max contract. He didn’t exactly have a stellar third season, something that was plagued with a stress fracture on his lower right leg. This dates back to his rookie season, something that may have been aggravated with his decision to continue playing despite having two sprained ankles.
Heading into the Wizards training camp, Beal is bound to be hounded by questions about his future plans. He is entering the final year of his contract with the Wizards so expect a lot of people asking what the 22-year-old guard plans to do after the 2015-16 NBA season. He is set to receive $5,694,674 for the coming season.
However, the real frenzy is bound to happen after the Wizards campaign next season. There is no indication that Beal wants out though such is not totally discounted. It may all depend on his performance this year and knowing that Beal can hit it from afar should draw interest from teams in need of outside firepower.
If nothing happens with the extension plans, the Wizards may likely wait to see how much Beal would be worth and possibly match that offer sheet.
Though Beal feels he deserves a max-contract, he could likely get one but may require the help of the free agent market next year.
Why the hold up on the part of the Wizards? Washington is apparently waiting on possible incentives. It is all about the numbers as far as Beal is concerned, savings in cap room which could be used for other players the team could lure in.
Whether he signs now or by next season, the fact remains that Wizards have nothing to lose since Beal will be a restricted free agent.