Bradley Beal declined his $36.4 million player option, and the Washington Wizards are already spotting Monte Morris to come in and help keep their star guard.
Beal enters unrestricted free agency by declining his hefty player option. He may receive a projected max salary of $43 million as a free agent. Additionally, he can also earn a projected $248 million over five years by sticking with the Wizards or $235 million over four years on another roster.
The 28-year-old has repeatedly said, however, that he is inclined to stay with Washington and sign a long-term deal.
The Wizards are holding onto that, and they are eyeing veteran Denver Nuggets playmaker Monte Morris to form a blitzing backcourt tandem with Beal, according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
At least several teams expect the Washington Wizards to enter draft day intent on trading for a veteran point guard, league sources said. One name to keep an eye on, sources tell @davidaldridgedc and me, is Denver's Monte Morris.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) June 23, 2022
That would not be the worst thing in the world for Beal and Wizards fans.
Remember that Beal missed the final 33 games of last season because of an injured left wrist. He played a total of just 40. The last time he played a full 82-game season was in 2018-2019.
In terms of pure talent and production, however, Beal is as good as it gets. Despite injury issues, he still averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds this past season.
Morris, meanwhile, is coming off his best campaign yet with the Nuggets. In the absence of Jamal Murray, Morris started 74 out of 75 games. He then averaged career-highs in scoring, assists, rebounds, and minutes per contest. He also helped the Nuggets reach the playoffs. There, Moreis put up 14.0 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc.
Needless to say, Morris drove up his stock with his play last season. The Wizards took notice, and they're expected to make a play for him anytime soon.
#NBA Wizards keeping an eye on Monte Morris https://t.co/bf0yc6DX8b #Sports
— NBA Reporter (@RealNBA) June 23, 2022
If Washington does succeed in bringing Morris out east, he will team up with Beal and new acquisition Kristaps Prozingis. That's also on top of a possible No. 10 lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, though they could also use that in a swap to get Morris in the fold.
No matter what happens, the Wizards will move heaven and earth to give Bradley Beal as many reasons as possible to stay.
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