As rival teams start contacting the Washington Wizards to discuss the possibility of trading for three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal, team president Michael Winger and Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, are maintaining constant communication to go over scenarios presented to the team, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Beal, who has played out the first season of a five-year, $251 million contract, is the only player in the NBA right now to have a no-trade clause negotiated into his contract, giving him the unique ability to control not only potential destinations but also how a potential package to acquire Beal impacts his ability to play for a contender elsewhere.
Teams will need to discuss potential trade targets with Winger, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, and Bartelstein in a three-way discussion if Winger is willing to fundamentally alter the roster of a team that has missed the playoffs in four of the previous five seasons.
Speaking about Beal’s future with the Wizards is anticipated to increase in often as free agency begins on July 1 and the NBA draught approaches on June 22.
Beal has had a tight bond with the neighbourhood and with team owner Ted Leonsis during his 11-year stint with Washington. But according to Leonsis, Winger has complete liberty to decide if he wants to pursue a rebuild with the Wizards or keep on a trajectory centred on expensive veteran players.
Forwards Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis have player options and may both decide to become unrestricted free agents; the Wizards are awaiting their choices.
Last season, despite playing 50 games with injuries, Beal averaged 23.2 points on a career-high 51% shooting. Over the course of his career, he has scored 22.1 points on average, including consecutive 30-point seasons in 2019–20 (30.5) and 2020–21 (31.3).
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