Most fans and pundits believe that Bradley Beal is wasting his talents with the Washington Wizards and should demand a trade before the deadline. But as far as Paul Pierce is concerned, Beal's best course of action is to play it out with the struggling Wizards franchise and put utmost trust in the organization.
In the latest episode of ESPN's The Jump on Thursday (via Mike Debrisco of NBC Sports), the retired player turned analyst likened his previous situation with the Boston Celtics to what Beal is experiencing in Washington at the moment. Pierce recalled how he was recognized as one of the best players in the league at one point, but failed to achieve the same level of success as some of his peers.
“I was in the same circumstance in my ninth year. Beal wants to be recognized as one of the game's best players and you don't get that same recognition when you're on a losing team. I really, clearly understand his frustration but I think they have to play out the year, and after the year, reevaluate things because that's the same thing that happened to me.”
The Truth, of course, is talking about his early years in Boston where he led his team to some promising playoff runs but weren't exactly considered legitimate contenders. Pierce and the Celtics hit rock bottom in the 2006-07 season, where they finished with an Eastern Conference-worst 24-58 slate. Pierce admitted he was ready to throw in the towel and ask for a trade when the Celtics' front office came through and brought in much-needed reinforcements. Pierce won his first and only NBA title the following season.
“I was at the boiling point where I was ready to get traded if we didn't do anything. Then voila, here comes Kevin [Garnett] and Ray [Allen] the next year. I'm not sure if [the Wizards] are capable of doing that, but I truly understand his frustrations.”
Bradley Beal, meanwhile, is leading the league in scoring right now, but the Wizards currently flounder at the bottom of the standings with a 3-11 slate. He also recently became the first player in NBA history to lose 10 straight games while scoring 40 or more.
Pierce and Beal do have some history together since they were actually teammates during The Truth's lone, forgotten stint for Washington in 2014-15. There are definitely no guarantees for this one, but maybe Beal can find clarity if he heeds Pierce's advice.
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