The Washington Wizards officially gave the keys of the franchise to Bradley Beal when they dealt John Wall to the Houston Rockets this past fall.
Beal is not sweeping the “franchise player” designation under the rug as Washington prepares to face Wall and the Rockets on Monday.
The star combo guard said following Sunday's win over the Boston Celtics he felt privileged to be the top dog for the Wizards:
“It’s a blessing because you don’t take it for granted,” Beal said, via Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY.
“You understand there’s only 450 guys in the NBA and there’s only 30 teams and every team has a quote-unquote star or superstar on their team, a franchise guy,” Beal said, “and for the Wizards to entrust me with that, that’s an honorable position, one that I don’t take for granted, that I don’t take lightly.”
Beal has gone about proving he is indeed one of the best guards in the NBA. He is averaging a league-high 32.9 points while also chipping in 5.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. Now, he faces another matchup with his old friend.
Wall demanded a trade from the Wizards in part because Washington general manager Tommy Sheppard openly declared Beal was the centerpiece. The former No. 1 overall pick has since suggested he can be the franchise player in H-Town, a team in need of a star like that as it transitions from the James Harden era.
How much longer Beal is intent on being the franchise guy in D.C. remains to be seen. He and his representatives have said repeatedly he will not seek a trade. But the situation could change if the Wizards continue to lose.
In any event, Beal understands the weight he carries as the Wizards prepare to welcome Wall back to the nation's capital Monday night.
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