The Washington Wizards have been doing very well for the past couple of seasons. Ever since John Wall got that max extension, the Wizards have done a great job trying to maximise Wall’s ability and using his leadership to bring the team to prominence.
But injuries have held them back at the times when they really needed a healthy team. Bradley Beal has had his fair share, Wall was injured in the Playoffs severely ending their hopes of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. But even though they lost Paul Pierce who became an integral part of their team, you can still look at the Washington Wizards and go “if they get Kevin Durant, they’re championship contenders”.
But if they want a chance to get Kevin Durant, they need Bradley Beal to not want a max extension. And surprise surprise, he wants a max extension.
The Wizards need about $25.5 million in room to fit Kevin Durant on a max contract, and if they sign Beal to a max-level extension, they would have almost precisely that amount left over. Playing the math that tight is dangerous, and makes it hard to fill a workable roster unless ring-chasers come aboard at massive discounts. The Wiz would be safer following the path San Antonio took with Leonard, only they haven’t built up the cachet that allowed the Spurs to say, essentially, “Trust us. Hold tight as a cheap cap hold, and we’ll make it worth your while.” Washington needs to nurture the good vibes, and that means at least coming to the table.
Beal may want his money now, and his side will surely propose a max-level extension. He hasn’t played up to that level yet, but 22-year-olds with silky strokes and some grit on defense don’t readily accept less. Beal might consider it after dealing with the kind of recurring leg injures that nag at a player’s anxiety. Offer a four-year deal starting around $18 million per season, about $3 million below Beal’s projected max, and he might just take it.
Bradley Beal, you’re not a max player, sorry man, but your are not. You have had injuries, you’re John Wall’s number 2 and if KD comes, you’ll be the number 3 option. You think that the Wizards will give their third option max?
Take a page out of Dwyane Wade’s book, take one for the betterment of the team because if you do this and manage to court KD. I guarantee you’ll be in multiple NBA Finals.
