Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks is adamant that star guard Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere — despite the team’s early-season struggles.
“Brad and I have never talked about it,” Brooks told the media Saturday. “We know that’s part of it. We haven’t won and when you don’t win, teams think that you’re just gonna throw the towel in and give up, that you’re just gonna want to get rid of your good players. So, that’s all part of the business.”
Beal is having another career season, leading the league in scoring at 34.7 points through 14 games. But COVID-19 issues and integrating All-Star guard Russell Westbrook have made things a little rocky for Washington at the start.
For his part, Beal has not requested a trade, continues to play hard and has even represented the Wizards with pride.
“He’s one of the best players in the league, of course every team would want him,” Brooks said. “But the good part about it is the team he’s on loves him the most. I love coaching him. He wants to be here, he signed an extension. He didn’t have to.”
So other teams can call, but Brooks and the Wizards insist Beal is there to stay.
“We’re not interested,” he told reporters. “I’m gonna just tell (general manager Tommy Sheppard) you might as well block all the 29 other teams’ numbers. We’re not answering.”
