Bradley Beal signed a $251 million contract over the summer, and yet, the general manager who gave him the deal couldn’t help but suggest that the Washington Wizards guard — after years of trade speculation and buzz — had become somehow … underrated?
The three-time All-Star “disappeared from the NBA’s radar” after a wrist injury ended his season last February, Tommy Sheppard said.
“He’s still one of the best players at his position in the league,” Sheppard said last month. “Bar none.”
Sheppard’s comment can be shrugged off as typical preseason, executive bluster. But the general manager might be closer to the truth than he realized. Beal, now that he’s settled in Washington and trade rumors have stopped (for now), may indeed be off the NBA radar. But that’s because Beal’s team has disappeared from the limelight as well.
As the Wizards open its season Wednesday in Indiana against the Pacers, Washington begins another campaign stuck in the NBA’s dreaded no man’s land. They project good enough to compete for the league’s play-in tournament and maybe one of the last few playoff spots — but not good enough to be a serious contender. And, barring unforeseen circumstances, they won’t be bad enough to bottom out and be in a position to draft potential franchise-changing talents like Victor Wembanyama and Scoot Henderson.
That’s familiar territory for Washington and Beal — the team has made the playoffs only once (as the eighth seed in 2021) over the last four seasons.
Beal said he re-upped with the Wizards this offseason because he believed in their chances to eventually win a championship. That’s not going to happen this season
If Washington is to surpass expectations — if they’re ever going to get back on the NBA radar — the franchise likely needs a jaw-dropping, throw-back campaign from Beal.
“Year 11 feels up there, but I’m excited,” Beal said. “It’s a good group of guys we got. We’ve been building a lot of camaraderie over the last few months. It’s been interesting. I’m definitely excited about what we got.”
Last year was a bit of an unexpected down year for Beal — even before the season-ending wrist surgery.
He averaged 23.2 points per game on 45.1% shooting — respectable, certainly, but a big drop from the previous season, when Beal finished second in scoring with 31.3 points per game. The year prior, he also cracked 30 a game.
Beal’s role last year was different under coach Wes Unseld Jr.
In his first year at the helm, Unseld had Beal play more off the ball to alleviate some of his offensive burden — and so that the former first-rounder would have more energy on the defensive end.
Beal’s 19.3 shots per game were his lowest since the 2017-18 season — when John Wall was considered Washington’s No. 1 option.
But Beal might have more opportunities this year, with better talent around him opening up the court.
An offseason trade with the Denver Nuggets brought the Wizards wing Will Barton and guard Monte Morris — the latter a true point guard who can set up the offense. And Beal will get to play with center Kristaps Porzingis after missing out on the chance to share the court last season. When Washington traded for the versatile 7-foot-3 big man at the deadline last season, Beal was already shut down for the year.
The Beal-Porzingis duo figures to give Washington a legitimate 1-2 punch as both are 20-plus-point scorers. Near the beginning of training camp, Beal called Porzingis the best big man that he’s ever had with the Wizards. Porizingis was similarly complimentary of Beal’s game.
“He takes so much attention away from everybody else,” Porizingis said of Beal. “The overall roster was built the right way. I’m here to help those guys … to bring this team to a new level.”
Elsewhere, the Wizards focused on adding high-character veterans to their roster this season — a focus after chemistry problems plagued the team once Washington imploded following its hot start. Morris and Barton, for instance, played under Unseld in Denver — where the coach was an assistant — and helped the Nuggets rebuild into a playoff contender. Washington also signed center Taj Gibson, a 14-year veteran who jas a quality reputation in the NBA. Backup point guard Delon Wright, who signed in free agency, brings a defensive focus.
The hope is that the veteran additions will blend with Washington’s youth. Fourth-year forward Rui Hachimura has drawn rave reviews throughout training camp as he enters a pivotal season ahead of next year’s restricted free agency, while wings Deni Avdija and Corey Kispert also made strides before nursing injuries. The team also drafted Johnny Davis with the 10th pick, though he’ll be on the outside of the rotation to start the year. Avdija (groin) should be available for the opener, whereas Kispert (left ankle sprain) is still out for another few weeks.
Washington, on paper, has improved. But so has most of the Eastern Conference. The Wizards will have to claw their way to a play-in spot.
“All the guys that are new to our roster bring a whole different mentality,” Sheppard said. “It’s obvious they don’t have to tell you about it, they show you.”
Beal is ready to have his game speak for itself too. Asked Monday about Sheppard’s comments that the guard has perhaps been forgotten about in wake of last season’s injury, the Wizards guard shook his head and smiled.
“No,” Beal said. “It’s been like that my whole career. I’ve been slighted even when I was healthy so it doesn’t matter.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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