The Bradley Beal sweepstakes will be over sooner than most people realize.
In a recent interview with Josh Robbins of The Athletic (subscription required), Beal revealed that he has made his decision on where he wants to play next season. However, he will not reveal it just yet.
Beal told Robbins that it would be “improper” to discuss his next contract while still fulfilling his current one. The shooting guard has a player option for next year, which he will undoubtedly decline.
Report: Bradley Beal knows where he will play next, declines to comment
That doesn’t mean he won’t return to the Washington Wizards, though. Beal has stressed his fondness for DC time and time again, and if he does end up going back, it would be unsurprising.
However, there are plenty of other teams around the league who would love to get their hands on Beal. He will definitely have plenty of options, but none of that matters anymore.
So, that just leaves us with one, very important question: Where will Beal be playing next season?
First and foremost, there’s the Wizards. They traded for Kristaps Porzingis last season in an attempt to give Beal a running mate, and if he chooses to stay, they will certainly try to put a solid team around him.
Then there’s a team like the Miami Heat. They have the assets to complete a sign-and-trade for him and could use a top-notch scoring threat to lead their offense.
Obviously, the Boston Celtics have to be mentioned as well due to Beal’s connection with Jayson Tatum. The two are long-time friends, and the Celtics also have the means to put together a sign-and-trade package.
Even teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets could make a run at Beal if they really wanted to. Any one of them could sign him outright or complete a sign-and-trade.
Beal has supposedly already made up his mind, but we won’t know his answer until he opts out of his current contract. Now, all that’s left to do is wait and see.