A new NBA rumor adds another reason to the discussion over the Washington Wizards being the worst team in professional sports right now.
Despite being in the nation’s capital, Washington pro sports teams have not been very good to their fans throughout their existence. However, despite having to watch many losing teams, the Washington Commanders, Capitals and Nationals have given supporters some very good seasons and even championships this century.
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Unfortunately, basketball fans in the district have gotten very little from the Washington Wizards and that continues this season. After being one of the worst teams in the league last season, the Wiz are dead last in the current NBA standings. The 2024-25 edition of the team will extend their streak of seasons without reaching the playoffs to four and have been unwatchable at times.
Yet, unlike last year, the front office has tried to make moves to boost their hopes of a turnaround this decade by adding to their draft assets or improving their salary cap flexibility. However, a new NBA rumor that emerged this week reveals a mind-boggling move the organization seriously considered before the trade deadline in February.
- Bradley Beal contract: Five years, $215 million
The Washington Wizards seriously considered pursuing a Bradley Beal reunion?
“It would be a faulty characterization, with nearly a month’s worth of reflection, to say that absolutely no team out there was willing to take on Bradley Beal’s contract in one of those multiteam trade constructions that the Phoenix Suns tried so hard to build so they could be the Western Conference playoff chaser, rather than Golden State, to acquire Jimmy Butler,” NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Monday.
“It turns out that the Washington Wizards, stunning as it sounds, gave real consideration to bringing Beal to the nation’s capital.”
The Wiz traded Beal to the Suns two seasons ago. In a move that was seen as the official start of a rebuild. The trade was praised at the time since it allowed them to move on from the five-year, $251 million extension they gave him in 2022. Which has only become more untradable in the years since. However, the Washington brain trust somehow thought bringing that contract back on the books made sense.
- Bradley Beal stats (2024-25): 18.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 40% 3PT
Beal has over $110 million left on the two years remaining on his contract. The idea may indicate Washington feels they are still two years away from being competitive. And they would be open to taking on his awful contract if it got them some draft assets. Hopefully, that was the internal thinking.
But the worst team in the NBA purposely trading for the worst contract in the sport adds to the narrative they are the worst pro team today.
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