Bradley Beal leaves door open for return in heartfelt farewell to Wizards fans

After 11 seasons in the NBA, Bradley Beal has a new home. Beal is moving on from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns after getting traded last week in a package that sent Chris Paul to the Wizards in return.

Beal had only played for the Wizards, the team that drafted him third overall in 2012 out of Florida. On Monday, he delivered a heartfelt farewell to Wizards fans, the organization, and Washington, DC via The Players’ Tribune.

“I’ll never forget the day the Wizards drafted me, because it was my 19th birthday. June 28, 2012! I remember growing up, my brothers and me, we’d talk about who was going to be the first one to buy our mom her dream house. And when my name got called at #3, we all just embraced — because we knew what that meant. My family sacrificed so many of their dreams in order to help me chase mine … and if I’m telling you about my time in DC, it starts there. The Wizards made it so those dreams could be real.”

Beal thanked scores of individuals within the Wizards organization, including owner Ted Leonsis and former general managers Ernie Grunfeld and Tommy Sheppard, for drafting him and believing in him. He also thanked his three head coaches in Washington — Randy Wittman, Scott Brooks, and Wes Unseld Jr.

Beal even mentioned his former backcourt mate John Wall, reminiscing about the Wizards’ Game 6 win over the Boston Celtics during the 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Beal is excited about joining the Suns to play alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. He also joked that he understands his sons will rather wear Durant and Booker jerseys to game instead of his.

Finally, Beal addressed the Wizards fans. He said he didn’t want to say goodbye. Instead, he said “See you later,” and left the door open to return down the road with the record books in mind.

“To everyone in DC: It’s bittersweet. I don’t like how “goodbye” sounds, so let’s just say “See you later.” (We still got 160 to get!! You never know.) Peace, Blessings, and Prosperity to the city and fans. I hope you’ll always consider me one of your own.”

Bradley Beal scored 15,391 points in a Wizards uniform. He is 160 points shy of Elvin Hayes as the team’s all-time leading scorer. It was a mark Beal was sure to break within the first month of the upcoming season. However, the chase for the milestone is on pause until Beal sees the Wizards later.