Bradley Beal Could Be Opting to Stay in Washington

Wizards star Bradley Beal hasn’t had a very successful nine years in Washington, but he’s remaining loyal to the organization, according to Marcus Thompson of the Athletic. 

Reports broke on Thursday that the Wizards are completing a trade that’d send Russell Westbrook to the Lakers with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

Washington wanted to make this deal with Beal in mind. The trade creates salary cap flexibility to add talent around him for the future, according to NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. 

The Wizards will send Westbrook to Los Angeles for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the 2021 No. 22 overall pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick, according to ESPN. Talks with the Kings on Buddy Hield being involved in the deal had also been ongoing between the two teams, but never reached a full deal.  

This news comes just a day after Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard denied that’d, he has received a trade request from Beal. The Wizards organization and Beal have remained on good terms throughout the offseason since their exit in the first round of the playoffs. 

“Everything else, to me, the outside noise is just noise. I don’t comment on rumors or anything,” said Sheppard on Wednesday. “I just know whenever I pick up the phone, we have a conversation. I give him updates, kind of what we were thinking.” 

After the Milwaukee Bucks won the 2021 NBA Finals, there seems to be some optimism among stars in the league that they don’t have to join a complete super team to win a championship.

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