Fansided

10 eventual free agents who could change the shape of the NBA

By Bryan Toporek

Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 04: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dibbles the ball during the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 04, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Washington Wizards, 125-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 04: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dibbles the ball during the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 04, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Washington Wizards, 125-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

6. Bradley Beal (2022 player option)

Had Bradley Beal not signed a two-year, $71.8 million extension with the Washington Wizards in October, he’d be among the hottest names on the 2021 free-agent market.

Although the Wizards largely fielded a G League-caliber roster this year, that didn’t stop Beal from erupting for a career-high 30.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting, 6.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 triples per game. He exerted minimal effort on defense — as did the rest of the Wizards — but he’s currently 10th leaguewide in ESPN.com’s offensive real plus-minus.

Thanks to his recent extension, Beal won’t be a free agent until 2022 at the earliest — or a year later if he picks up his $37.3 million player option for 2022-23. That hasn’t stopped other teams from sniffing around, though.

According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, the Brooklyn Nets have “internally discussed avenues of acquiring” Beal as a third star to pair with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However, Fred Katz of The Athletic said “the chances of a deal coming this offseason are slim at best,” as “the Wizards don’t want to trade Beal.”

Beal recently told ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan that he loved being in Washington, D.C., “and it would feel great to know I could grind out winning here instead of jumping to another team.” However, he hedged by saying: “I’d be naïve to say that I don’t think about it when these stories come up.”

If John Wall is a shell of his former self next season upon his return from an Achilles injury, Beal may start dreaming of greener pastures more frequently. At that point, the Wizards may be forced to face the music unless they’re willing to be left empty-handed if Beal walks in 2022.

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