Bradley Beal is set to be $251 million richer. The Washington Wizards guard officially signed his new five-year supermax contract extension on Wednesday. It was revealed Beal’s new deal has a unique component.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Beal’s contract has of a no-trade clause. He is the only current player in the league to have a no-trade clause.
In fact, Beal becomes just the 10th player in NBA history to get a true no-trade clause. LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitizki, Dwyane Wade, Tim Duncan, David Robinson and John Stockton are the only other players who have received a true no-trade clause at some point during their career.
There’s also a 15% trade kicker in the contract for Beal. He also has a player option for the final year.
Beal now has full control over any trade situation. If things don’t improve in the next five seasons with the Wizards, and Beal becomes available, he’ll essentially be able to hand pick which team he is moved to.
Of course, it also gives Beal the ability to block being moved by the Wizards altogether and to see out his contract in Washington. If he does, he’d spend 15 seasons with the Washington Wizards. He’s already stated he was to be the Dirk Nowitzki of the Wizards.
Meanwhile for the Wizards, a contingency of fans have long pushed for a rebuild. General Manager Tommy Sheppard has sought retooling instead in each of the last three offseasons. If for whatever reason the Wizards opt for a rebuild, having Beal on a no-trade clause could affect the return package in a trade.
For now, the focus is on next season. The Wizards have acquired guards Monte Morris, Will Barton and Delon Wright in the offseason. The team also selected former Wisconsin combo guard Johnny Davis in the first round of June’s draft.
Beal will be looking to guide the Wizards to their first 40-win season since 2017-18.
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