In this episode of The Draymond Green Show, Draymond Green interviews NBA star Bradley Beal about his upcoming free‑agency situation with the Washington Wizards. Green opens by explaining the value of a player option, noting that Beal holds one for the next season, which gives him flexibility to stay or opt out. The conversation then shifts to Washington’s handling of Beal’s contract—Green praises the organization for not “shopping” him and for maintaining open communication. Beal describes how he embraces the constant rumors and interest from other teams, such as the Miami Heat, viewing the attention as a sign of his value. They discuss the financial mechanics of Beal’s potential deals: a five‑year, $242 million extension with Washington (leveraging bird rights) versus a four‑year, $179 million offer elsewhere, highlighting the $63 million premium that bird rights provide. Beal reflects on the criticism he faces for staying, emphasizing that while money is important, his primary goal is to win meaningful games and compete for a championship, ideally with the Wizards. He compares the Wizards’ situation to other rising teams (Milwaukee, Memphis, Phoenix) and expresses confidence that Washington can become a contender. Throughout, both speakers stress Beal’s control over his destiny, the balance between financial security and competitive aspirations, and his desire to play deep into the playoffs.
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Hi, it's Colin Cowherd. I started The Volume to bring you some of the most authentic voices in sports. While you're here, make sure you hit subscribe.
Thanks. You know, speaking of, of the extension and free agency talk, obviously you have a player option going into next season, which is always the best. I actually got my first player option on this deal. I didn't have one on last deal. I really didn't even know it was a possibility last time, but I got a player option on this deal, which is always the best, I think. And you know, it's protection for the player.
Right.
If you having a shit season, then you opt in. If you having a great season and you gotta market, you opt out. And so I think that's a great position to be in. But obviously there's been a lot of talk around you and your situation. I actually respect what Washington has done in not making you a part of trade talks and telling you that they're not shopping you at all. Because the reality is that's a risk for a team to take with you with a player option and you can possibly walk for nothing.
Right.
Now we hear the rumors all the time. We hear just yesterday or two days ago, we heard that the Heat want you really bad. What's been your mindset about going into this next free agency? I mean, if you decide to opt out, because you haven't been in this position either.
Exactly. So it's just like you, like, I just, I'm kind of embracing everything, right? So like, I'm not upset about the rumors. I'm not upset about, you know, teams wanting me. Like, that's, I feel like that's a good thing, right? We put in the work and, you know, we're wanted by a lot of people, not just where we're at, you know what I'm saying? And I think that just speaks volumes to the type of players we are and, you know, what we're able to do onto the floor, you know, on and off the floor and the impact we can have. And so for me, I just embrace it all. Like, I know it's a lot of noise. I know it can be distracting at times, but I always had a bunch of OGs and a lot of people who, I've had a lot of teammates. This is my 10th year where I've had a lot of teammates in and out, you know?
So— Mm-hmm.
They are telling me, you know, what it's like at other places, you know, compared to where I am, you know? So I kind of get that feel and I get a little bit of that interest, but you know, just like I know there's nothing better than, you know, grinding it out and kind of doing it on your own, you know? And I also love and respect the fact that Washington, like you said, hasn't been shopping me. They're not saying, "Oh, you know, we're out listening to what teams are—" Like, as soon as they call, they hanging up the phone, right? So like, I respect that part of it, you know? And it's kind of funny, like, I've never been a free agent. It's kind of reminded me of college recruiting. Like, I hear every single game somebody's recruiting me, somebody's like tagging on me. Like, whether it's another player or whether it may be a coach or whoever it may be, like, some, you know, somebody's chit-chatting. Be what you wanna do this summer, what you doing this summer. So it's been, I embrace it, bro. Like I don't shy from it. Like I love the fact I have constant communication with Washington so I know what's going on. There's no gimmicks, right? We know which path we're going down and we're making the moves to do that. And it's a matter of if I'm comfortable. Like I've never been in a position to where, okay, I hold all the chips. I can really make any decision I want.
Mm-hmm. And I think that's incredible to, you know, to be in that position. Like you said, everyone isn't afforded that opportunity. Guys in this league never experienced that feeling, you know, and have that opportunity to kind of control their own destiny. For the average fan that doesn't know, like for, and for Brad Bill to stay with the Washington Wizards, he can sign a 5-year, and I'm only saying this, I don't count nobody pockets, but I'm only saying this because it's public information. But for Brad Bill to stay with the Washington Wizards, he can sign a 5-year. 5-year. $242 million deal this summer. If Brad Bill was to leave and go to another team, he can sign a 4-year, $179 million deal. Well, why is that? Because you have bird rights.
Right.
And the team that you've been with for 2 or 3 years, 2 years I think you get early bird, 2 or 3 years.
Yeah, sure.
They own your bird rights and they can pay you more. They can give you that extra year on a deal. The percentage increase on your last year salary goes up. And so that, I mean, '79 to that '21, that's $63 million difference. That has to matter. Where does that matter for you in your process? Like, I know you've made a bunch of money. You're gonna make a bunch more money. What are you, 28?
Yes, sir.
Like 28. So even if you sign a 5-year, you 33, you got another 4-year deal. Like, so the money, people say the money isn't a thing, but $63 million is $63 million. I don't care how much money you done made. Yeah, Draymond, we know.
It's really tough because like you say, you do get criticized for what you do, right? For staying in your situation and doing what you feel is best, right? And if you took a survey, right? And you ask anybody, random person on the street, if they would sign this deal, everybody and their mama is gonna say, "Yes, I'm signing." 1000%. Everybody and their mama is gonna say that they're signing the deal. Right? But like I told a lot of people around me too, like, I'm also not in the same position as those people. I have money now.
That's a fact. That's a fact.
Right? I've made a lot of money in my career and I'm blessed and fortunate to make even more, right? And so, but I have, for the first time, like you said, I have the opportunity to be in control of what I would like to do. And— Mm-hmm. It's like you said, it's a business at the end of the day. I have to have that understanding with Washington that we are in the pursuits of winning, right? That is my destination and goal. The money is awesome.
Yes.
Granted, when we grew up playing, Draymond, we played the game to make a lot of money. We played the game to take care of our family. Like that—
Absolutely.
Don't get it twisted. Like we all, That is still in the back of our head. We, that is priority number one, taking care of yourself, making sure that you get every dollar that you possibly can make and that you feel comfortable with doing. But there also comes with when you make that money, you wanna win ball games, you wanna be able to play for something.
Facts.
Right?
Right.
I wanna play meaningful games, right? I want to be playing in late June. That's what I want. Mm-hmm.
Right? I wanna do that. And I think people don't understand that.
Yeah. And I think people don't understand that I wanna do that here. Like, and in my mindset is like, okay, why can't I do it here? There's a lot of other teams that are out here doing it.
Facts. Right? 10-5. Milwaukee.
Milwaukee. You wouldn't have said that about them 6 years ago, 5 years ago. 3 years ago. Right, even Memphis now. Memphis is making noise. Phoenix, same thing. Like teams are doing it. Teams are doing it. Teams that were, we talking first round picks. I mean, number 1 picks. Like so it's possible for teams to do and it's possible to go on those runs. And not all those teams have 2, 3, 4 All-Stars. That's a fact. They develop their guys, right? They're putting in the pieces together. Like, so it's a possibility and it's, I mean, shoot me if you want, but that's my mindset. Like, I have that mindset. I wanna do it here. But—
For sure.
There also comes a point, Draymond, that you also know that it becomes a business. And if you feel like the stars aren't aligned with that, then— Everybody's gonna do what's best for them, regardless of what the money is. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
