NBA

Bradley Beal's New $6.8 Million Purchase Might Hint at Which Team He'll Be Joining Next

Jack Dougherty Sports Editor

Updated30 Sep 2020

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Bradley Beal can't be happy being stuck in Washington for the first eight years of his NBA career, and he might've just hinted that he'll be on the move soon.

Beal's talent is too immense to be wasted on a mediocre franchise his entire career. The Wizards have made the playoff just four times during Beal's tenure, and they finished 10th or worse in the Eastern Conference the last two seasons. Beal won't have a chance to compete for an NBA title unless he finds a new team to call home, and he might be doing so soon based on his new $6.8 million purchase.

Bradley Beal reportedly wants out of Washington

Bradley Beal wants out of Washington, per @sheridanhoops
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 26, 2018

Beal trade rumors have been alive and well for a few years now. In 2018, Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com reported Beal was actively seeking a trade to get out of Washington, but the Wizards eventually decided to keep him.

This season, Beal was one of the hot names at the trade deadline, but again, nothing materialized. The Wizards clearly don't want to let go of their franchise superstar, but they might be better off doing so before Beal's contract runs out.

Beal will become a free agent after the 2020-21 season, and he'll surely be looking for a new destination at that point. If he does decide to leave, Washington will get nothing in return. A trade before his contract runs out could be the wisest decision for the Wizards, but Beal's value diminishes the closer we get to 2021.

Beal just purchased a $6.8 million mansion in Los Angeles

Bradley Beal is buying a new house in Los Angeles, per https://t.co/gvXnsZuBFr

"One of the largest homes in L.A.’s hip Venice neighborhood has sold for $6.8 million, according to property records." pic.twitter.com/opHcnZTbMP
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 29, 2020

One of the biggest sources of NBA trade rumors is players buying houses in new cities. Well, Beal just became the newest victim after he purchased a $6.8 million mansion in LA's Venice neighborhood over the weekend, according to Dirt.

The house has five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and is the most expensive house sold in the area this year. It's fully equipped with a pool and spa area complete with a waterfall, a home theater, and a gaming room.

Beal clearly plans on staying there for years to come, so wouldn't it make sense if he brought his job with him to LA?

Does Beal's new purchase signal he wants to join the Lakers or Clippers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdt-TAQsU4A

Beal is set to become a free agent after the 2020-21 season, and he might be getting a head start on his decision by setting up shop in LA.

At 27 years old, Beal will want to finish out his prime years competing for a title, and where else can you do that but with the Lakers or Clippers? Both LA teams can make the argument they have the best roster in the NBA, and Beal would take them to the next level.

The Clippers would be a perfect trade partner with the Wizards. They could send Paul George and some extra assets to Washington in exchange for Beal and extend the shooting guard beyond 2021. After George's performance in this year's playoffs, Clippers fans wouldn't be too upset watching him go.

The Lakers, on the other hand, make less sense as a possible destination for Beal. They can't trade LeBron James or Anthony Davis, and they don't have the cap space to add another max slot into the fold. They would have to sacrifice the rest of the roster for Beal, which isn't realistic.

But Beal and the Clippers could be a perfect marriage. He's just right down the road now, so he shouldn't be hard to contact.