Beal wants to finish career with Wizards, have jersey retired

The Washington Wizards have retired the numbers of five players, and Bradley Beal signed his extension in October with the purpose of becoming the sixth member of that group.

"Wanting to have my jersey retired in Washington one day played a factor in me re-signing," Beal told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. "Every night we walk into that arena, there's five names up there. Those are some of the five greatest to ever touch a basketball."

Beal, who already owns the franchise record for 3-pointers made and ranks second in points, added that he'd like to finish his career with the Wizards.

"For me, I look at (Kobe Bryant), I look at (Dwyane Wade), I look at (Dirk Nowitzki), (Udonis Haslem), how they can stay in one situation for a long time," Beal said.

The former third overall pick ranks second in the league in scoring this season with 30.4 points per game. Despite Beal's offensive brilliance, the Wizards are on pace for a second consecutive losing season with a 22-39 record.

"I'm kind of like (Damian Lillard) in this realm that it would probably mean so much more to you winning it in Portland or winning it in D.C., because you know you grinding all those years," he said. "Then once you eventually come out of that light, I feel like the feeling would be so much grander than necessarily jumping ship."

Washington has failed to advance past the second round of the playoffs since Beal joined the organization in 2012.

The star shooting guard is under contract with the Wizards through the 2021-22 season. Beal's deal includes a player option for the 2022-23 campaign.