Bradley Beal returns to Wizards on 5-year, $251-million max contract

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By , 106.7 The Fan

Bradley Beal's dalliance with free agency lasted all of about one minute before agreeing to a five-year, $251 million max contract to return to the Wizards.

On Wednesday, Beal officially declined his $36.4 million player option, which was largely viewed as a procedural move that would make him a free agent but also eligible to sign a new five-year max deal to return to the Wizards (or to sign elsewhere on a lesser four-year deal).

NBA free agency began at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday. Approximately one minute later, news broke that Beal had agreed to a new contract with the Wizards. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Beal has agreed to a five-year, $251 million max contract to stay in Washington.

Beal is now under contract with the Wizards through the 2026-27 season, at an average annual salary of $50.2 million.

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