Report: Washington Wizards won't give Bradley Beal the max contract he desires
The Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal have yet arrive at contract terms that would make both parties happy. Beal wants a maximum extension. The Wizards don't want to soak up next summer's cap space by giving him one before they absolutely have to.
It's a tough but far from hopeless situation. Here's the latest, courtesy of CSN Mid-Atlantic's J. Michael:
"Bradley Beal has made it clear. He thinks he’s a max player, and that’s what he wants. I’ve talked to people on both sides all offseason about this. It seems to be Bradley Beal’s decision. The Wizards are willing to make him an offer, an extension, but they’re not going to offer him the maximum extension right now simply because they don’t have to....Does Bradley Beal bet on himself by not signing an extension? That's the question"
First things first: It'd be a total shock if Beal left the Wizards for another team at any point in the near future. If the two can't agree on a contract before October 31st, Washington retains the right to match any outside offer sheet Beal receives in July.
Said offer sheet is bound to be a max deal because Beal is correct: He's worth that much. But there's risk for both sides in not agreeing to a long-term deal before other teams can jump in. Beal's feelings might get hurt and he'll play one year for the qualifying offer then bolt as an unrestricted free agent in 2017 (the Greg Monroe blueprint).
That's a doomsday scenario for the Wizards. A doomsday scenario for Beal is he suffers a serious injury and is forced to accept much less than the max contract he's currently worth. But both sides are playing this smart.
Beal shouldn't accept anything less than his market value, and the Wizards should keep their options open and not commit to an injury-prone guard who may or may not live up to the responsibilities that come with long-term riches.
(h/t: CSN Mid-Atlantic)
