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Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal’s best option may be to stay put

By Justin Morris

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards warms up before playing against the Phoenix Suns at Capital One Arena on January 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 11: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards warms up before playing against the Phoenix Suns at Capital One Arena on January 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards, Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards, Bradley Beal Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive indicators are bad for the Washington Wizards

Both common knowledge and analytics say that the highest percentage shots come from the closest areas on the floor, and Washington is surrendering made baskets at a 55.2 percent clip from the 5-to-9 foot range (league-worst) while giving up 47.8 percent from 10-to-14 feet away (second-worst).

It seems like they’d have a whale of a time trying to slow down a parked after all. Perhaps enlisting the services of a traffic cop or parking meter wouldn’t be a bad idea.

And then we have Mr. Beal.

As if consistent losing wasn’t enough fuel to emblazon his furious fire, an All-Star snub in 2019-20 after finishing second in scoring left Beal scorching with additional motivation entering the 2021 campaign.

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He’s been nearly unconscious, splashing home buckets at a near inhuman rate, all the while ramping up his facilitation moxie and leadership presence.

His stat-line, while magnificently enthralling, still doesn’t provide a calculative measure of his invaluable impact to the team.

It’s a sight to marvel at nonetheless: a league-high 34.9 points per game on nearly 49.4 percent shooting from the floor, while adding 5.0 assists and 1.4 steals to further embellish his resume.

Beal is focal-point number one for Washington’s future should he continue to parry trade waters.

Now, the rest of his army has yet to get their ducks in a row, and while protecting their fort has become problematic, so too has their off-kilter aiming prowess when attacking the rim.

But this is a team that oozes with potential.

Russell Westbrook, while not possessive of the same flair that accompanied his MVP torrent, is still one of the league’s unquestioned top lead guards. He hasn’t quite found ample footing in the Eastern Conference yet, but he’s a liable triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor (he’s nearly averaging one right now).

His propensity for playmaking and dogged disposition is a surefire team-enhancer, and when he’s clicking on all cylinders chemistry-wise, Russ can make any player around him better.

And with a slew of young guns around him, they’re going to need his veteran impact.

If they can gel, this is a unit that oozes with potential.

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