Beal declines $36M option to become free agent, reportedly staying with Wizards

Washington Wizards superstar Bradley Beal will decline his $36.4-million player option and become an unrestricted free agent, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Beal is expected to return to the franchise on a five-year, $248-million extension, Wojnarowski reports.

Teams can commence negotiating with free agents Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, with deals becoming official July 6.

The 28-year-old Beal has spent his entire 10-year NBA career in Washington after the team drafted him third overall in 2012. He leads the franchise in 3-pointers and ranks second in points scored.

The three-time All-Star averaged 23.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 40 games last season before undergoing wrist surgery in February.