Wizards star Bradley Beal hints at $250 million decision this summer

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal is still leaning toward re-signing with the franchise on a five-year contract worth around $250 million.

featured-image

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has a big decision to make this summer. Beal has a player option worth over $36 million for 2022-23, but the expectation is he'll opt out and become an unrestricted free agent. The question then becomes if he re-signs with the Wizards or goes elsewhere.

Beal has already hinted at sticking around in Washington on a long-term deal, and he did so again in an interview with Ava Wallace of The Washington Post:

Article Continues Below

The event comes smack in the middle of a watershed summer for the Wizards’ star guard. Beal said he is still leaning toward signing a multiyear deal with Washington worth roughly $250 million this July, and in the meantime, he’s focused on rehab after having his cast removed in late April following season-ending wrist surgery in February.

ā€œSurgery was good, recovery went well. Had no issues,ā€ Beal said.

Beal's name has come up in trade rumors for quite some time, but signs continue to point to him re-signing with the Wizards on a five-year deal worth around $250 million. The 28-year-old could always choose to re-sign with Washington and then look for a trade down the road if things don't go well.

It was undoubtedly a rough 2021-22 season for Beal and the Wizards. His scoring average dipped from 31.3 points per game to 23.2, and his shooting percentages took a dive as well. He shot a respectable 45.1% from the field, but he connected on only 30.0% of his 3-pointers. His 53.9% true shooting mark was his worst since 2014-15. And, as noted, his season finished early because of wrist surgery.

While Beal had a down season and finished it injured, Washington will gladly pay up to keep around its franchise star. It will be up to him to determine what he wants to do.