Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal issued his first statements regarding the trade that sent former backcourt mate John Wall to Houston in exchange for Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook.
Beal said he has been through the ringer this week in coming to grips with the fact Wall is no longer with the organization:
“It’s been an emotional week,” Beal said, via Fred Katz of The Athletic. “Definitely been some tough 24, 48, 72 hours here, just kind of letting it all seep in and realizing that your brother is no longer here with you no more. He’s off to something better.”
The 27-year-old also stated the trade was tough to swallow because of how close he and Wall had been off the floor:
“It’s a tough situation because John is my brother and our relationship goes far beyond basketball,” Beal said, via Katz.
Wall had a tumultuous exit from Washington. He missed the better part of two years due to injuries, then reportedly requested a trade when talks of the Wizards shopping him for Westbrook first surfaced.
Additional reports suggested the former No. 1 overall pick was growing increasingly frustrated by the idea the Wizards were building around Beal. However, Beal said Friday that latter point could not be further from the truth:
“When we came together and had those conversations, it was the total opposite of the rumors and the noise,” Beal said, via Katz. It was the total opposite.”
Now, Beal will prepare for a new journey with Westbrook, whom he called a “walking triple-double” and praised as a “high-character guy,” per Katz.
There will be questions as to how the new pairing will work on the floor, considering Westbrook can be ball-dominant and Beal is only just starting to fully realize his abilities as a playmaker. But the Wizards will have time to test things out.
In the meantime, Beal sends his best wishes to Wall.
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