Wizards' Beal focused on becoming a leader, not on contract extension

John Wall said this week he's ready to step into the leadership void left on the Washington Wizards by Paul Pierce's departure. His backcourt mate, Bradley Beal, plans to help him fill it.

"John and I, we both have to," Beal said Thursday, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "We're thrust into that position, but I think we're ready for it."

At 22 years of age and with three NBA seasons under his belt, Beal may not, on the surface, fit one's idea of a seen-it-all veteran presence in the locker room. But after leading the Wizards in scoring (23.4 points per game) for a second consecutive postseason - both of which saw the team fall two games shy of the conference finals - he's grown up faster than most. Beal said he and Wall are ready to take the next step together.

"We're capable of leading a team and we're capable of getting on our teammates. That's what we're supposed to do. We're the two best players on the team. We have to act like it."

Beal's past two playoff performances have helped mitigate somewhat disappointing regular seasons. Last year, he missed 19 games with wrist and leg injuries, averaged just 15.3 points, got to the free-throw line less than three times per game, registered a ho-hum true shooting percentage of 52.1, and posted a below-average 14.0 PER.

The big-stage success, though, points to Beal's ability to rise to the occasion, and he says it's done wonders for his confidence.

"It boosted it. I love playing in the playoffs and whenever I get a chance to showcase myself and do what it takes to win, that's what I'm going to do."

Beal is trying not to let anything distract him from his goals for the upcoming season, not even the biggest financial decision of his life to date. He's eligible for a contract extension before the start of the season, and he and the Wizards have reportedly begun engaging in negotiations. They have an Oct. 31 deadline to reach an agreement, after which Beal would be locked into restricted free agency next summer. That's when league-wide salaries are expected to leap, in step with a projected cap spike of about $20 million.

Still, Beal said he's yet to even meet with his agent to discuss negotiations or the decision-making process.

"I don't know. I don't worry about it," he said. "I let my agent handle it. I let him work it out, because regardless, I'm going to stay in Washington. That's not going to change for another year or two. I haven’t met with my agent about it. I don't even think he's talked to Ernie. I'm blind. I have no idea what’s going on. I'm blessed either way."