Jan 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) drives to the basket past Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Why Bradley Beal Denied Opportunity to Return to Wizards

Originally posted on Washington Wizards on SI
By Tyrone Montgomery | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 7:00 AM ET

There are times in life when we are let down after setting our expectations too high. "Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace" comes to mind. If you’re a fan of music, the album “Invincible” from the late great Michael Jackson may come to mind as well. There were about three tracks that were good on the entire album. This is something similar to what the former Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal went through.

After being traded to the Phoenix Suns, the move felt like a disappointment for Beal. The Suns were supposed to contend for a title as he joined Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Instead, they became a laughingstock in the NBA as they lost a lot. That is why Beal chose not to return to the Wizards, as he was brought out of his contract with the Suns this offseason.

Dwayne wade said Bradley Beal has probably wanted to play with James harden for a while.

Also adds that a lot of NBA players wanna play with James harden, and that he’s heard James harden is a great leader and that a lot of guys speak very highly of James. pic.twitter.com/Q4qINWYaTJ
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) July 25, 2025

Beal wants to win. He won on a personal level with individual accomplishments throughout his time with the Wizards previously. However, he wasn’t able to win with his team in the playoffs during his tenure with the Wizards. In the end, he will have that chance now that he has signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.

In an interview, NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade said, “He’s playing with a player in James Harden who he wanted to play with for a while. A lot of players want to play with James because of his playmaking ability. James is a great leader, too, as a lot of guys speak very highly of him.” So Beal may have chosen the Clippers over the Wizards, too, because they don’t have a player like Harden, who is a great leader or has great playmaking ability. The Suns didn’t either, and that, too, could be a reason why they didn’t have success. For now, Beal is not a Wizard, but he certainly could return when he is close to retirement.

This article first appeared on Washington Wizards on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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