Landon Buford
The Washington Wizards are 3-10 through their first 13 games, including losing their last two games since being back from health and safety protocol. Last night against the Houston Rockets, the Wizards lost 107-88. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 33 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
But it seems the league leader in scoring might have played his last game in a Wizards uniform.
Earlier today, a source shared with me that Beal may want to go in a different direction.
According to the source, Beal is meeting with the Wizards front office and the expectation is that he will be requesting a trade today.
The Wizards are 1-8 when Russell Westbrook is the lineup this season. As for Beal he has been on the record as recent as OCTOBER 16, 2020, that he wants to be in DC. When he made an appearance On the Road with Buck & Phil威而鋼 m> podcast.
“That would mean the world, man,” Beal said of staying with the Wizards (h/t Frank Urbina of Hoops Hype). “I’m a loyal guy. I want to be here. I’m here. I’ve signed my extension. And that will mean the world to me. That honestly would, you know, being able to finish your career in one place? You know, you don’t see that in today’s game.”
According to ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski, the St. Louis native signed a two-year extension with Wizards worth $72 million in 2019. The deal also has a player option for the 2022-23 season.
If Beal does decide to ask for a trade it won’t be an easy decision for the 2018-19 NBA Community Assist Award Winner. Due to his deep connection to the Washington DC community.
“I’m honored and humbled to be named the Seasonlong NBA Community Assist Award winner,” said Beal. “I would like to thank the Wizards organization and Ron Brown College Preparatory High School for allowing me the opportunity to connect with their inspiring students. I am looking forward to continuing and building on this relationship for many years to come.”
Last May, during an appearance on the All Smoke Podcast, Beal discussed working with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School.
“So, I have a school here in DC called Ron Brown College Prep. It is pretty much an all-black school. It is a private school, they dress private, private criteria, but it is publicly funded. These kids are getting a college-prep education for free. I went to an all-white boys school in St. Louis, and I had to pay for that joint, and it was $18k a year. But, lucky for me, I was on an academic scholarship to where I didn’t have to do that,” said Beal.
“That was my out and the last couple of years trying to explain to them the advantage they have. The opportunity they have in front of them is a three-year-old school. This is the fourth year, but the first that they have seniors. And so, this past year, I’ve done tours for them with a couple of HBCUs around the DC area, Howard, Morgan State, and Hampton, just for them to get a feel for the college life.”
So, we will have to see how this whole thing plays out heading into the trade deadline.
