NBA: Guard Signing Extension Not Imminent, GM Not Overly Concerned

The Washington Wizards have made it clear that they want Bradley Beal to remain with the franchise in the long-term after they offered him a three-year extension worth $111 million earlier in the offseason. The shooting guard, who still has two years remaining on his contract with the team has not yet made a decision with regard to signing the deal on the table.

Beal has until Oct. 21 to accept the offer from the Wizards but a source close to the player has informed Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that it will be a surprise if the guard signs the new deal. The 26-year-old’s current deal expires after the 2020-21 season and he is expected to see how things go with the Wizards this season before making any decision on his future.

“A source close to Beal said he would be surprised if Beal accepts the extension offer by the Oct. 21 deadline and instead expects him to see how things go with the Wizards this season before making any decisions on his future," Jackson wrote.

The shooting guard averaged a career-high 25.6 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds last season which saw him earn his second All-Star selection. Beal spoke about his upcoming extension decision and revealed that he had not thought about it and that it is left to his agent and Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard to handle the negotiations.

"Honestly you might slap me, but I haven't thought about it," Beal said. "I'm just getting better and letting my agent [Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard] and everybody else deal with it."

"I just go hoop. Every day I see somebody and they ask, 'Beal, you leaving?' and I'm like, 'I'm still living in D.C., I ain't going nowhere’,” the Wizards shooting guard added.

The Wizards have Beal for two more seasons and the shooting guard has not given any indication that he wants out of Washington. Wizards general manager Sheppard also revealed that he is not overly concerned as he is assessing the situation based on Beal’s interaction with the franchise.

"Knowing that he has two more years under contract with us is valuable information. I take my cues on how he's interacting," Sheppard said, as quoted on Bleacher Report. "He has shown time and time again how committed he is to D.C."