The Washington Wizards will have a lot of contract issues to deal with next summer. While the team continues to try and emerge as a frontrunner for the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, they also have in-house talent they must be concerned about. At the top of that list is Bradley Beal who is eligible to get a contract extension now, something that does not appear to be happening.
Beal and the Wizards have been going back and forth in contract talks as the expectation was that the young backcourt start would get a new deal before the season starts. However, that is no longer as the case as the Wizards appear to be set on letting him wait until the salary caps expand following next year's new television deals. According to ESPN.com, the Wizards are trying to convince Beal to wait on getting a new extension until next summer. That would allow them to sign both Beal and Durant with the extra cap space to work with.
ESPN's Marc Stein is reporting that the contracts to Andre Drummond and Harrison Barnes could dictate how much Beal earns along with what his injuries and production look like this season. Of course Washington runs the risk of making Beal wait on a deal and then losing both he and Durant who is merely a long shot to sign with the team. The Wizards are clearly putting all of their eggs in the 2016 basket in hopes of making a big run next summer on players.
The Wizards have made it clear their intentions are to chase Durant next summer. Point guard John Wall told the media that when the time comes he plans on recruiting the star back to his hometown. Durant's contract will not necessarily factor in to Beal's deal, but it could hurt other players on the roster. Otto Porter is not guaranteed anything with club extensions left in his contract. If he stutters this season, he could be a victim of Durant's contract.
In the short-term, the Wizards are focused on getting back to being Eastern Conference contenders. Porter has been impressing in the preseason while Jared Dudley is expected to return to the court prior to the year beginning. According to the Washington Post, he returned to practice. Marcin Gortat is expected to be the starter come opening night over Nene. The veteran center is not thrilled at the idea of coming off the bench. Head coach Randy Wittman likes the idea of on big man on the court at a time.
"I'm sure sometimes it is, but it happens all the time," Wittman said, via the Washington Post. "The bottom line is the betterment of the team. Nene's going to continue, whether he's a starter or non-starter, to get the minutes he's gotten since he's been here. I'm not going to play him any differently whether he's a starter or not."
