After years of rumors, the Washington Wizards finally traded All-Star guard Bradley Beal. The team will send Beal to the Phoenix Suns, according to EPSN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The trade comes roughly a year after the Wizards signed Beal to a five-year, $251 million extension. That extension also included a no-trade clause, which Beal waived to join Phoenix. Beal still has four years and $200 million plus remaining on his contract.
The move ends Beal’s 11-year run in Washington. The team drafted Beal with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Beal showed plenty of promise early in his career, making the NBA’s All-Rookie team after averaging 13.9 points during his first season in the league.
After a few solid years, Beal took his game to another level during the 2016-17 NBA season. He averaged 23.1 points and led the Wizards to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. Beal maintained that production moving forward, and made the All-Star team in three of his next four seasons, averaging a career-high 31.3 points during the 2020-21 NBA season.
Beal has battled various injuries since then, though has remained an effective player when healthy. He missed time during the 2021-22 NBA season due to COVID-19 and a wrist injury. Beal was limited to 50 games last season with foot, hamstring and knee issues. Despite those injuries, Beal averaged 23.2 points over the past two seasons.
