Did anyone expect anything different? Of course, Bradley Beal was going to opt-out of his previous deal with the Wizards to sign a monstrous 5-year, $251M max extension.
I’m starting to believe that Bradley Beal lacks any championship ambition as he signs away his prime years to a team that hasn’t made it to the Conference Finals in over 40-years. And they don’t look likely to break that streak anytime soon.
Sure, the Wizards have Kristaps Porzingis, the former All-Star who has hardly played a minute in a Wizards jersey. However, his troubling injury record may keep him from ever fulfilling his potential in Washington. Who else do they have? Kyle Kuzma, a decent scoring and rebounding forward. And Monte Morris, an average guard.
Not a bad roster, juts not one good enough to compete for an NBA championship. Okay, so maybe the Wizards can pick up some free agents.
Well, the only issue with that idea is there is no one left that would send the Wizards into title contention. I would have said go all out and try to bring in Miles Bridges, but he’s, uh, well, I wouldn’t pursue him for a while.
So, Bradley Beal and the Wizards are in a bind. They have a half-decent roster that should drive them into the Play-In Round, though I can’t see them making it any further than the Second Round. And, for a player as talented as Bradley Beal, he should have more aspirations than just Second Round exists.
With Wizards owner Ted Leonsis vowing to “never, ever tank” the Wizards while he’s in charge, I can’t see this team getting any worse (or any better, for that matter) for real change to take hold. So, there’s no chance a high draft pick will be playing alongside Beal in a Wizards uniform.
Nevertheless, resigning Bradley Beal was a good move for the Wizards as it keeps the franchise relevant for playoff contention, which maintains the status-quo of mediocrity.
As for Beal, resigning with the Wizards was a good move for his finances and a terrible move for his career. He’s set himself and his family up for life with this contract. Yet, he has doomed his championship chances with having to contend with the Wizards’ continually mediocrity.
Maybe I’ll be proven wrong, and the Wizards will magically become title contenders over the five years of Beal’s new contract. Though, we all know better than to believe in magic and wizards.
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