John Wall, Bradley Beal Trade: The NBA Doubts Wizards' Will

Bradley Beal examines his phone like everyone else. He read the rumors about the Washington Wizards and their sudden desire to discuss possible exchanges involving Beal or his colleague, star guard John Wall.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski announced Monday that Washington's management had signaled to other teams "the impression that every player on their list" could be available for trade talks.

"I'm not going to be naive, you know," said Beal, who saw the report. "I heard these rumors weeks ago. Then I did not buy them. Now, I'm not going to join it yet, because if it's my priority and my goal, I'll lose myself. "

Beal's disbelief is apparently justified.

Although Washington may flounder at the beginning of the 5-11 season, some believe that the team does not intend to move from one of the pillars of its franchise , based on conversations with several people in the league who are familiar with the Wizards. and how their front office works. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Wizards spoke of the team's policy stating that basketball president Ernie Grunfeld "does not comment on the rumors, so he will not comment on this one."

While the name of Otto Porter Jr. has been associated with many rumors, no agreement has convinced him, according to several people familiar with the situation. Doubt over the availability of Porter, who signed a new contract with Washington in 2016 for a full-time contract, casts increased uncertainty about opening wizards to even discuss Wall or Beal.

Beal, 25, and Wall, 28, have formed backyard wizards for seven consecutive seasons. The longevity of their relationship is a rarity in the NBA – only two other groups of teammates have started at least one game together each season since 2012-13. Together, the Wall-Beal duo rewrote the franchise record book.

Beal holds the mark of a Wizards / Bullets season for most three-point players (223) and has 904 triples in a seven-year career. Wall is at the top of the list of career assistance franchises (5,129) and flying (959). This season, the Wizards have continued to focus the team around both players, as evidenced by the offensive.

Wall and Beal each averaged more than 20 points – while the team's third scorer, Dwight Howard, scored 12.8 points per game in nine appearances – and the tandem also leads the Wizards with usage rates the highest among the players in regular rotation. As franchises faces, both players signed maximum contracts. Wall's "supermax" pact will kick off next season and cost it $ 38 million in the first year of a four-year contract.

But by running the franchise in the field and on the payroll, Wall and Beal have been increasingly blamed for the horrific start of their team. After a scathing loss to the Sacramento Kings on October 26th, the players seemed to be about to recall what they saw as conflicting "diaries" in the locker room. Since then, however, there seems to have been a change when they spoke to reporters.

"I put that on myself. I feel like a team leader, you have to make sure that your troops are all intact and that everyone is on the same page, no matter how difficult the task is, no matter what kind of adversity we can meet – that's what we are facing. are getting through now, "said Beal after a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. "As captain of the team, I have a lot of responsibilities to wear. I have to be more effective in leadership on the ground, give more and preach by example, and hope that guys … will follow.

The afternoon that followed Sunday's 119-109 defeat, during which the starters left the field behind the Portland Trail Blazers by 19 points and did not participate in the energetic fourth-quarter return , coach Scott Brooks shared his thoughts on the report on the team. be open to include either stars in commercial scenarios.

When asked if he would be "surprised" if the Wizards had reached an agreement with Wall or Beal, Brooks replied, "I mean, as I said, the beginning we started, there will be rumors. It's just a part of the business. It's just a part of it. I have been in the league for a long time. This has always been the case. We did not play well. Nobody is hiding. Nobody runs away from it. We must play better. I have to do a better job. Our guys must also do a better job. No matter what we hear, it has nothing to do with what we have to do every day is to prepare, to improve and find ways to gain. "

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