As the 2020 NBA season inches closer, NBA trade rumors are making rounds once again. Having won it all this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are being linked to a number of superstars.
However, there is one particular player who is clear that he wants to stay with the Washington Wizards even if the Lakers come knocking at his door. Bradley Beal knows exactly why he doesn’t want to leave that franchise.
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The 2-time All-Star has already signed his 2-year extension with the Wizards. The contract is worth $72 million and starts with the 2021-22 season.
The deal includes a player option for the following season. This would assure him $130 million for 4 years. This move meant that he was off the table for a trade before the 2020 season and swiped the possibility of free agency away from him.
This definitely came as a surprise to many because it was speculated that Beal was sick of the losing culture in the Wizards. However, Beal has some other thoughts about the same.
Bradley Beal explains what keeps him tethered to the Wizards
On ‘The Old Man and The Three’, the star guard justified his decision regarding the contract. He said, “It was more or less. Do I want to have something built around me and have the opportunity to do it here? Or with others?
“I signed my deal and structured it so that I still have some flexibility because at the end of the day, I still want to win. And the organization has to show me that we want to win.
“There’s always going to be hoping in that direction. You still want to be able to protect yourself and kinda be selfish. How can I create some type of flexibility for myself if we aren’t winning, if I do choose to get out.
“Just trying to position myself, you know later down the line. With an organization that I have, I have an opportunity to build it around myself. But at the same time, I want to win and they know that. They have to show that.”
Beal’s loyalty lies with the Wizards, no matter what. This comes as an enormous sigh of relief for Wizards’ fans and a big disappointment for big teams wanting to trade for him. Do you think the upcoming season is going to be brighter for the Wizards?
