National Basketball Association

AP Source: Wizards, Beal closing in on 5-year max contract

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Washington Wizards expect to agree to a five-year maximum contract with shooting guard Bradley Beal by Friday morning.

The two sides began negotiating immediately after the opening bell for the NBA's free agent season at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be signed until July 7.

Beal averaged 17.4 points in his fourth season for the Wizards. He has teamed with John Wall to form one of the most dynamic young backcourts in the NBA but has had difficulty staying healthy. Beal has never played more than 70 games in a season and has been bothered by stress fractures in his right leg throughout his career.