Despite lack of extension from Wizards, Beal 'not looking to go anywhere else'
Monday marked the deadline for teams to offer contract extensions to players drafted in the summer of 2012.
As the clocks struck midnight Tuesday morning, Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal was without a new deal.
Related: Extension deadline roundup: No deal for Beal, Raptors retain Ross
At first glance, the team's decision not to extend their fourth-year burgeoning star may come as a bit surprising. After all, why not lock up a future All-Star for the next four years?
However, the lack of an extension facilitates a two-pronged effect that is potentially mutually beneficial to both parties.
"They're just being smart with what they want to do," Beal told Yahoo Sports' Michael Lee. "And I honestly, I respect it, because it makes sense for both sides to wait until next year anyway.
"This is where I want to be. I'm not looking at any other teams. I'm not looking to go anywhere else."
For the Wizards, holding off until after the 2015-16 season to put a new contract in front of Beal gives the franchise additional cap flexibility - allowing for a potential run at a major free agent next summer, namely Kevin Durant, while also freeing up cash to further solidify an already-deep bench.
For Beal, the prospect of earning a max contract offer - five years, approximately $120 million - looms large, but the 22-year-old Missouri native remains focused on his performance ahead of next summer.
"It's money at the end of the day," he said. "And I just want to go out here and play my butt off, each and every night and get what I deserve. Earn every penny that I get. If that's the max, then it's the max. And if it's not, it's not. At least I can look at it and say I gave it my all."
It is likely that the Wizards will take care of Beal the same way the San Antonio Spurs did Kawhi Leonard or how the Detroit Pistons are currently dealing with Andre Drummond's impending free agency.
For now, Beal - who is averaging 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, and who also hit one huge buzzer-beater recently - will continue to let his play do the talking, and let the business side of things take care of itself when the time comes.
"I trust what they're doing," he said of the franchise that drafted him third overall in 2012. "I know at the end of the day, this is where I'm going to be and hopefully that I continue to be here. I don't even worry about it."