Washington Wizards Rumors: Team Wants Kevin Durant And Additional Big Name Free Agent
Washington Wizards rumors about Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have become interesting. These Wizards rumors indicate that the team wants to pursue Durant during the 2016 NBA offseason, and that the front office needs Beal to wait on a contract extension. A report from CSN Mid-Atlantic states that there has been no progress between Beal and the Wizards when it comes to an extension, but this could be a calculated move by the front office.
If the Wizards wait to extend Beal, the team will have more money to spend in free agency during the 2016 NBA offseason. With the expected bump in the salary cap, the team should be able to pursue not just Kevin Durant, but also another big money free agent. The front office has done a really good job with salary disbursement and already has cap space ready for the 2016-17 NBA season.
There are going to be a lot of Washington Wizards rumors in the near future if the plan is really to pursue Durant. It’s a tough sell, but the roster should be stacked with enough talent to lure him if he does indeed want to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder. Point guard John Wall is locked up through the 2018-19 season, Bradley Beal is a restricted free agent after this season, and ownership has shown a willingness to pay luxury tax fees if it means putting a good product on the floor.
Beal may be looking for a max deal of his own, which is why waiting could also be a big benefit to his next contract. With the increase of the salary cap, there is also expected to be a bump in salaries that players can make. At just 22-years-old, Beal also has a lot of youth on his side. During the 2014-15 NBA season, he played 63 games for the Wizards (started 59), averaging 15.3 points per game. It was during the postseason where Beal really shined, averaging 23.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The long-term future of the Wizards looks very good, which should be a lure to the next crop of free agents. The team made it to the second-round of the NBA Playoffs last year and could be even better for the 2015-16 NBA season. There are going to be Washington Wizards rumors for as long as Bradley Beal doesn’t have a contract extension in place, but that isn’t something fans should worry about. The front office has a grand plan in mind.
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