NBA: Ranking the top 15 free agents and predicting where they’ll land

Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)
Washington Wizards Bradley Beal (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Bradley Beal
Bradley Beal (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports) /

1. Bradley Beal, player option

Bradley Beal is without question the best free agent from the 2022 class. If he truly tests the market after opting out, there’s no question that nearly every contender will be doing what they can to get a meeting with him.

However, I don’t fully believe that he’s ready to leave the Washington Wizards or leave money on the table by signing outright with a different team. Washington is going to offer him a super-max extension, and I don’t really see him turning that down.

Next. NBA: 10 bold predictions heading into the 2022 free agency period. dark

It would be a shame if this is exactly how it happens, but mostly because I want to see him have a legit chance to play for a title. And, quite frankly, I’m not sure he’ll ever have that opportunity with the Wizards. Still, I believe he’ll choose the comfort and the big payday, which there’s nothing wrong with.

Prediction: Washington Wizards