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Despite being under contract at least through 2025-26, the trade scuttle around Bradley Beal has started to rise again as the Washington Wizards sit at 17-23 with Beal sitting out due to a hamstring injury.
Action Network’s Matt Moore reported this week that personnel around the NBA have started to wonder if it’s just a matter of time until the former Florida standout asks for a trade from the Wizards:
Personnel around the league have speculated whether it’s a matter of when and not if Beal asks out, but Wizards President Tommy Sheppard has consistently shot down that idea. I mention it here because even teams with no reason to trade for Beal wonder where his future career intentions lie.
However, our own Michael Scotto said this week that Washington, despite the rumors, still plans to build around Beal:
While some around the league speculated that Bradley Beal could be flipped down the line after signing his max contract, Wizards management has planned to build around Beal and wants to retain Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma long-term if they opt out in free agency and find a fourth core player alongside their trio to build around and contend in the East.
It’s doubtful Washington will do anything too drastic this season with regard to Beal’s future but at some point, both parties might realize winning a championship together isn’t realistic and decide to move on.
Either way, the Wizards have to do a better job of finding talent through the draft, as missing so frequently with first-round picks has doomed them in the Beal era.
For the latest Bradley Beal trade rumors and salary info, click here.
