Three-time All-Star Bradley Beal is poised to opt out of his current contract with the Washington Wizards this summer and sign a $248 five-year million supermax contract, per ESPN.
“Beal is very likely to decline the option and re-sign with Washington on a five-year deal worth a projected $248 million that would take him through age 33,” said ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Beal was drafted by the Wizards in 2012 and has played his entire NBA career in Washington D.C.
“Obviously, I consider my family,” Beal said. “What do they wanna do? Where do they wanna live? What are they comfortable with? And, obviously, the team. So, it is surreal in a lot of ways to be in the position I am in. It is crazy numbers. It is what it is. It’s uncontrollable. It’s out of my control. But I’m blessed to be here. Again, I don’t shy away from that. I take it on with a full front, and I have to do what’s best for me. There is a little anxiety because I have to make the decision, and time is counting down. We’re in June now. But it’s fun to be in this position.”
The six-foot-four shooting guard averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds last season.
“I know what my decision will be based off of, and that’s gonna be where I feel like I can win. That’s going to be my decision. If I feel like I can win in DC, that’s what I’m gonna do. I want people to respect that,” said Beal.
Washington had its best start in 47 years last season, but injuries and COVID took their toll, and the team finished 35-47 for 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
Still, new additions Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Lakers and late-season addition Kristaps Porzingis from the Dallas Mavericks made solid contributions to the team, which looks to build off of last year’s early-season success.
Kuzma averaged 17.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while Caldwell-Pope chipped in 13.2 points per game.
Porzingis averaged 22.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 22 games for the Wizards.