Report: Wizards working to avoid a Bradley Beal trade

Numerous All-Star level players on bad teams have tried to get themselves traded to a contender. But Bradley Beal has done the opposite.

The 28-year-old Washington Wizards guard has remained with the team despite them being in the midst of their fourth straight losing season. He has said he likes the Wizards, wants to see them rebuild successfully, and that he doesn’t need to follow the same path as so many others who have demanded trades.

According to Marc Stein, the Wizards would go along with a trade if that’s what Beal told them he wants. However, Stein reports that the Wizards are instead focused on trying to build a better team around Beal to convince him to stay, thereby avoiding dealing the three-time All-Star guard.

There was talk last month that the Wizards have made Domantas Sabonis their top trade target, something Beal apparently approves. If the Wizards were to land a player of Sabonis’ caliber, that would certainly be very encouraging for Beal, who would love to relive some of the success he experienced most of the early part of his career.

The Wizards entered Saturday 24-27 and in the 11th spot in the East.

Photo: Jan 30, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) warms up before the game between the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports