Bradley Beal on contract extension, new Wizards players

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has potentially $181.5 million reasons to sign the contract extension general manager Tommy Sheppard and the team offered before the season.

However, Beal chose to wait to make his decision as the Wizards started the 2021-22 season with a host of new players.

The Wizards (14-11) have surprised many and sit in fifth in the Eastern Conference behind perennial contenders a little more than a quarter of the way into the season.

In the latest episode of the “Posted Up with Chris Haynes” podcast, Beal said he’s committed to the team, but wants to dictate how his future goes.

“I got time, so I kinda hold the cards right now. And one, I’ve never been in this position. I’m kinda embracing that, being able to kinda dictate how I want my future to be and where I want it to be,” Beal said on “Posted Up.” “And at the same time, I’m not gonna make that grand commitment and it doesn’t work. Ultimately, you have to be selfish at some point and for probably the first time in my career, Year 10, I am. And so I’m kinda taking advantage of it in a way.

“Obviously, my full commitment is to the team. I want it to work. I’ve contributed to being here. I’ve committed to being here twice. Now, I want to see that commitment to me, as well, that we can create a winning team here, a winning environment here. And granted, I’m a part of that, so I gotta make sure that I’m stepping up and doing my thing, too, just as well.”

In 2019, Beal signed a two-year extension with an option to opt out and enter free agency after the 2022-23 season. The new offer is a four-year, $181.5 million extension. He could also wait until the offseason and sign a veteran max contract for five years and around $235 million.

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