Bradley Beal wants to remain loyal to the Washington Wizards. His offseason re-signing also confirms this theory. On June 30, Beal signed a five-year, $251 million contract extension with the organization.
The three-time All-Star is one of the highest-paid NBA players. However, the team hasnβt advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 1979.
That was back when the Washington Bullets lost to the Seattle SuperSonics in five games of the 1979 NBA Finals.
Bradley Beal: βLoyalty is definitely a huge factor for meβ
Anyway, during a casual interview with Haute Living, Beal left this comment regarding his future with the Wizards: βPeople always look at me like Iβm crazy, but I have a huge desire to want to make it work here and win here.β
βThis is the team that drafted me. Theyβre super loyal, I have a great relationship with ownership, and a great relationship with our front office.β
βPlus, thereβs not a lot of chances in the careers of NBA players to be notated as the franchise guy, you know? To be able to have that opportunity, to be able to be in a position to where I can write my own story, thatβs everything.β
Honored to be on the cover for @HauteLivingMag‘s first ever DC edition ππ½
β‘οΈ https://t.co/NZ7V3K5Vrp pic.twitter.com/eSrU5fdJ7p
β Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) August 26, 2022
Last season, the Wizards finished 35-47 (.427) and 12th overall in the Eastern Conference. It was the teamβs first season under head coach Wes Unseld Jr.
βLoyalty is definitely a huge factor for me,β continued Bradley Beal. βAt the end of the day, basketball is a business. You see guys drafted to teams and traded shortly after, and sometimes, loyalty is questioned.β
βIβve never had that feeling [with the Wizards]. Iβve never had to have that particular cloud lingering over my head at any point in my career here. I love the fact that weβre always up front, that thereβs always a straightforward conversation about where weβre going and what weβre doing.β
βI feel like if I win a championship here in DC, the grind of it, with everything Iβve been through, all the adversity and ups and downs, that would make a win that much sweeter, make me appreciate it that much more. And I do love the grind, and to sometimes go against the odds.β
Will the Wizards make the playoffs in 2023?
In 40 appearances with the Wizards last season, Bradley Beal averaged…