ClutchPoints logo
    • NBA
    • Eastern
      Atlantic
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • New York Knicks
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Toronto Raptors
    • Central
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    • Southeast
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Miami Heat
    • Orlando Magic
    • Washington Wizards
    • Western
      Pacific
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Sacramento Kings
    • Southwest
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Houston Rockets
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • San Antonio Spurs
    • Northwest
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Portland Trail Blazers
    • Utah Jazz
    • NFL
    • AFC
      West
    • Denver Broncos
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • South
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Tennessee Titans
    • North
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • East
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Miami Dolphins
    • New England Patriots
    • New York Jets
    • NFC
      West
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • South
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • North
    • Chicago Bears
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Minnesota Vikings
    • East
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • New York Giants
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Washington Commanders
    • MLB
    • National
      East
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Miami Marlins
    • New York Mets
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Washington Nationals
    • Central
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    • West
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    • American
      East
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • New York Yankees
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    • Central
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Minnesota Twins
    • West
    • Athletics
    • Houston Astros
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Seattle Mariners
    • Texas Rangers
    • NHL
    • Eastern
      Metropolitan
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
    • Atlantic
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Western
      Central
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St. Louis Blues
    • Utah Mammoth
    • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific
    • Anahiem Ducks
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • WNBA
    • Eastern
    • Atlanta Dream
    • Chicago Sky
    • Connecticut Sun
    • Indiana Fever
    • New York Liberty
    • Washington Mystics
    • Western
    • Dallas Wings
    • Golden State Valkyries
    • Las Vegas Aces
    • Los Angeles Sparks
    • Minnesota Lynx
    • Phoenix Mercury
    • Seattle Storm
  • HBCU
  • Women's Sports
• • •
  • NCAAB
  • NCAAF
  • Gaming
  • Entertainment
  • Soccer
  • NCAA Sports
  • Fantasy
  • UFC
  • Golf
  • WWE
  • Newsletters
  • Sneakers
  • Clutch Covers
  • Start Bench Cut
  • Sportle
  • Quizzes
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
Get The App
  • NBA
  • Washington Wizards

Why the Wizards should focus on building around Bradley Beal ahead of John Wall

If the Washington Wizards are smart, the DC based franchise would kick John Wall to the curb and build around Bradley Beal from this...

By

Sean Bush

Jan 17, 2019 at 2:54 PM ET
Apple News LogoSubscribe
Google News LogoFollow Us
featured-image

The NBA changes so fast doesn't it? At the start of the 2016-2017 regular season, just two years ago, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving were still teammates in Cleveland, Jimmy Butler was a Bull, Carmelo Anthony was still king in New York, Isiah Thomas would emerge as an unlikely MVP candidate in Boston, and freaking Hassan Whiteside looked like a blossoming star.

Oh, and another thing, John Wall was seen by many as the best point guard in the league not named Stephen Curry. Sure there was a clear debate between him, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul—but there were arguments to be made for any of the four.

The massive contract extension Wall would receive that summer felt almost like a formality at the time. Did we really expect a player the caliber of John Wall to accept anything less? Well now, that contract appears to be among the worst in the NBA. Wall was the guy the Wizards were building their team around—now that player should be his running-mate Bradley Beal.

Bradley Beal, Wizards

The Wizards have posted an uninspiring 34-39 regular season record when Wall has played the last two seasons. Without Wall, they have gone 27-26. Obviously that record isn't anything special, but typically your team should not improve when your “franchise player” isn't playing.

The last two seasons Bradley Beal has flat-out outplayed Wall. While prior to his season-ending heel surgery Wall was still putting up flashy numbers, Beal's performances are much more conducive to winning basketball. And now that Wall is out of the picture, Beal is torching opposing defenses.

Beal is averaging 30.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 steals in the eight games since Wall's injury. If the team can find a suitor for Wall this season—easier said than done—then it's time Washington moves on from the Kentucky product. Regardless, moving forward the focus should be finding pieces that maximize Beal's game, not Wall's.

Bradley Beal, Wizards
CP

John Wall has been a constant on and off the court problem the past couple of seasons. He is constantly feuding with teammates and has a very “let me get mine” type of play style. When the ball isn't in Wall's hands, he provides absolutely nothing to help his team win.

He is a poor shooter and he refuses to move without the ball. Wall is still loaded with natural talent and ability, but he has not shown in recent years that he can function productively in the confines of a modern offense.

He's becoming a bit reminiscent of Carmelo Anthony in this respect. He is not the negative presence on the court that Anthony is, but his ability drastically outweighs his actual value as Anthony's does.

Bradley Beal does not share this quality. He plays winning basketball and the numbers prove it. The Washington Wizards may not be able to unload Wall's contract at this point, but that does not mean they should remain committed to being Wall's team. Bradley Beal has earned the spotlight, let's see what he can do with it when given the reigns.


Sean Bush is a writer for ClutchPoints.

You may also like
Wizards rumors: Washington named surprise Jonathan Kuminga suitorWizards rumors: Washington named surprise Jonathan Kuminga suitor5 days ago
Wizards’ Will Riley reveals how he’ll dominate with Tre JohnsonWizards’ Will Riley reveals how he’ll dominate with Tre Johnson1 week ago
Infinite Archives x Air Jordan 17 Low release updateInfinite Archives x Air Jordan 17 Low release update1 week ago
Washington Wizards 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickWashington Wizards 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pick1 week ago
Wizards’ GM shares ‘serious’ assessment of Jamir Watkins after NBA DraftWizards’ GM shares ‘serious’ assessment of Jamir Watkins after NBA Draft1 week ago
Tre Johnson reveals how he fits Wizards’ rebuilding puzzleTre Johnson reveals how he fits Wizards’ rebuilding puzzle1 week ago
Jazz, Wizards trade grades for 2025 NBA Draft dealJazz, Wizards trade grades for 2025 NBA Draft deal1 week ago
Washington Wizards’ perfect outcome for No. 6 pick in 2025 NBA DraftWashington Wizards’ perfect outcome for No. 6 pick in 2025 NBA Draft2 weeks ago
CJ McCollum’s hilarious first tweet since blockbuster Wizards trade goes viralCJ McCollum’s hilarious first tweet since blockbuster Wizards trade goes viral2 weeks ago
Wizards rumors: 1 player Washington may trade up for in NBA DraftWizards rumors: 1 player Washington may trade up for in NBA Draft2 weeks ago
Pelicans, Wizards trade grades for Jordan Poole-CJ McCollum swapPelicans, Wizards trade grades for Jordan Poole-CJ McCollum swap2 weeks ago
Pelicans, Wizards make CJ McCollum-Jordan Poole trade involving 4 playersPelicans, Wizards make CJ McCollum-Jordan Poole trade involving 4 players2 weeks ago
Bradley BealJohn Wall
Just In
Grading Ducks’ 2025 NHL Draft class1m
Mike Rizzo drops NSFW admission to sum up Nationals firing5m
Angel Reese gets injury update after 2K cover reveal8m
Pacers’ Rick Carlisle reveals what happened with Myles Turner leaving for Bucks10m
Why Thunder’s near $800 million max contracts won’t lead to second apron nightmare13m
Want more NBA rumors?

🚨 Join thousands of fans and get the hottest NBA rumors, breaking news and exclusive insider scoops with the Clutch Newsletter.

ClutchPoints Logo
HomeTerms of ServiceAboutPrivacy PolicyContact UsDMCA PolicyPressEthics and StandardsAdvertiseTeamSitemap
Follow Us
Copyright © ClutchPoints.