The name of Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal continues to appear in trade rumors, but it seems he has not officially requested a trade like NBA colleagues James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Beal hasn’t revealed whether he would prefer to continue his career with another franchise, either. In fact, Beal has said the exact opposite, stating that he wants to get through the tough times with Washington and step back with the Wizards.
“I hate change,” Beal would say.
The Wizards are 4-12, the worst record in the NBA. Washington’s former face of the franchise, John Wall, was given to the Houston Rockets after a 10-year roller coaster ride in DC. Their team did so bad last season that despite an average career high of 30.5 points per game, it left the All-Star team in a widely regarded as a nudge.
Beal’s stance has not changed, however, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Fred Katz report that Beal recently expressed his desire to stay in Washington.
He’s privately frustrated and confused with the ongoing portrayal of his situation, according to sources familiar with his thinking. After other players criticized the request to leave teams, these sources say Beal feels he was not selected because of his decision to stay in DC, where he began his NBA career in 2012.
Regardless of Beal’s propensity to stick with the Wizards, his name should continue to appear in rumors until the close of trading on March 25 and beyond.
With the NBA’s super-team era suddenly stalled, Beal – like two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo – could revive the team loyalty brand popular with players like Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki.
After all, Beal is said to be “in love” with Nowitzki’s only title in Dallas, where he played 21 seasons.
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