Courtesy – The Washington Post
Over the past few years, the Washington Wizards’ franchise has grown up and developed into one of the most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference. This is all thanks to their backcourt duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal and a few offseason moves. Taking their time and building through the draft has worked out great for the Wizards so far.
Washington is currently sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference and has a record of 9-5 having already beaten powerhouse teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers. It has been reported that Beal will be demanding a max deal since his rookie contract is ending, becoming a free agent this summer and due for an extension in the 2015-16 season, but the question is: Does Beal deserve an early top dollar extension from the Wizards?
Bradley Beal has become a cornerstone piece of the Washington Wizards franchise and even though they are only 2-2 since his return, he undoubtedly makes Washington a better team all around. Beal is young, athletic, smart and has certainly lived up to the early Ray Allen comparisons. For his career, he is averaging 15.7PTS, 3.7REBS, 3.3ASTS and 1.1STLS per game. He is also a great shooter, who has a career average of 42 percent from field goal range and 40 percent from behind the arc.
One of Beal’s most outstanding abilities is his talent to thrive under pressure. At such a young age, he competed and thrived like a veteran during his first postseason appearance last season. During the playoffs, he averaged 19.2PTS, 5.1REBS, 4.5ASTS and 1.6STLS. He is gifted and has all the talents to be Washington’s shooting guard for the years to come.
Beal is only 21 years old and arguably one of the top five shooting guards in the NBA. Without a doubt, he will be a hot commodity if he becomes a free agent. One particular thing for the Washington franchise needs to consider though is that Oklahoma City Thunder Kevin Durant becomes a free agent in 2016 as well. Although, the 2015-16 season that Beal’s extension would be for is the first season, which the NBA will be under national TV contracts, meaning that, the max contracts and franchise revenue will be changing, so obtaining both players would be a possibility but committing to Beal would be a hundred million dollar commitment, which at this point seems like a safe bet.
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