It’s no secret that the Washington Wizards are going to make a run at Kevin Durant this summer as he becomes a free agent. Unfortunately for Bradley Beal, that means he has to wait for his contract extension.
According to David Aldridge:
Wizards, per sources, won’t extend @RealDealBeal23 before deadline. Still hope to sign impact FA in July, then re-sign Beal, who’ll be RFA.
via ProBasketballTalk:
Without an extension, Beal’s cap number will be $14,236,685 next summer until he’s renounced or signed. So, the Wizards can use their cap space on free agent – ahem, Kevin Durant – and then exceed the cap to re-sign Beal.
If he’d signed an extension, Beal’s cap number would have been his starting salary. The max projects to be $20,947,250, and that’s about what Beal deserves.
Plus, Washington can give Beal a five-year contract as a free agent. Because John Wall is already the team’s designated player, a Beal extension would’ve been limited to four seasons.
