Bradley Beal signed a two-year, $72 million contract extension with the Washington Wizards on Thursday that will begin in the 2021-22 season. No. 3 has been grateful for everything the Wizards’ organization has done for him throughout his career, and this extension shows his commitment to the team as they set their sights on returning to the playoffs this season.

“Both the Wizards organization and the city of Washington have been committed to supporting me and my family since the day I was drafted and I feel blessed to be able to show my commitment back to them,” Beal said. “I’m proud to continue leading this team both on and off the court and look forward to being part of building something special.”

https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1184877284358086658
https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/1184894285084266497

Brad signs this extension coming off perhaps the best year of his career thus far, having posted career-highs in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks in the 2018-19 season. Last year, above all else, Beal proved his abilities as a leader. With John Wall sidelined for much of the year, Brad shouldered much more responsibility than in previous years with the Wizards.

Brad’s high character, mixed with his elite basketball talent, has helped him develop into the leader of the franchise, and it encouraged the Wizards to get this extension done, so that the team can continue to move towards its ultimate goal.

“Bradley is pillar in the community and an All-NBA talent,” Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard said. “He is entering the prime of his career and we are committed to building and developing our team around him as we establish the environment for sustainable winning.”

Brad has been named to the All-Star team in each of the past two seasons and has averaged at least 22 points per game in each of the past three seasons.

He has also continued to climb in the Wizards’ all-time record books, ranking in the franchise top 10 in field goals (ninth), assists (ninth), steals (eighth), points (eighth), three-point percentage (seventh) and already became the franchise all-time leader in three-point field goals last season. Beal has started every game for the Wizards over the last two seasons and leads the league in total minutes over the last three.

Beal has been an integral piece of the franchise since he was drafted, and he will continue to lead by example moving forward now that this deal is done.

“Bradley embodies the type of high-character, team-first player that we want to have representing our fans and our city and we’re very happy to sign him to this extension,” said Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment Ted Leonsis. “This caps off a tremendously productive offseason by our new leadership structure of smartly and efficiently moving the franchise forward in a positive direction.”

D.C. has been a lively sports town recently, with the success of the Mystics, Capitals and Nationals. Now, Brad and the Wizards will be looking to be the next great D.C. sports team over the next several seasons.

https://twitter.com/Domo_LXXXVI/status/1184837381268135936

“I love DC. This is where I always wanted to be, and this is where I want to be the rest of my career,” Beal said.