The Washington Wizards and Bradley Beal have spoken about a potential contract extension this summer, but the two sides haven’t progressed much on a new deal.

According to a recent report from CSN Washington (h/t NBC Sports), the Washington Wizards aren’t ready to offer Beal the max contract yet:

Bradley Beal has made it clear. He thinks he’s a max player, and that’s what he wants. I’ve talked to people on both sides all offseason about this. It seems to be Bradley Beal’s decision. The Wizards are willing to make him an offer an extension. But they’re not going to offer him the maximum extension right now simply because they don’t have to.

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As J.Michael put it, the Washington Wizards aren’t going to offer Beal the four-year maximum contract because waiting makes more sense.

Surprisingly, the Wizards would be willing to sign him to an extension that’s probably close to the max, but not as large. At this point, the 22-year-old guard isn’t worth the max deal, but that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually get one.

Beal is one of the best young guards in the NBA and has the upside to become an All-Star player.

Unfortunately, injuries have hindered his development a bit.

If he can stay healthy, like he did during the NBA Playoffs, Beal has proven that he could play on an elite-level.

It’s really just a matter of staying on the floor and being consistent.

So, if the Wizards don’t sign him to an extension this summer — and it looks like they won’t — then Bradley Beal will become a restricted free agent in 2016.

Beal will get a max-contract offer from other teams around the league. If/when he does, the Wizards will match that deal.

Instead of signing him to the large extension right now, Ernie Grunfeld will have more flexibility in the summer, giving him more opportunity to sign someone like Kevin Durant.

At this point, I think it’s pretty clear that Washington is all-in on the hometown superstar. Waiting to sign Beal to an extension is just another hint that they’re going to attempt to make a major splash in free agency.

Dan Feldman explained the cap situation more:

Beal’s cap hold would be $14,236,685. A max contract projects to start at $20,947,250. If Washington waits, it can use that extra $6.7 million in cap space and then exceed the cap to re-sign Beal. That extra money could be handy for luring Kevin Durant or, if Durant goes home, a supporting player who wants to follow the superstar to D.C.

After all of his extension botches (looking at you, Gilbert Arenas and Andray Blatche), I’m honestly surprised that Grunfeld is staying patient. Things could change from now until the beginning of the season, but it looks like the Washington Wizards are going to make the right move.

Beal is going to be a member of the team for a very long time. He’s going to get a max extension next summer. Staying patient will just give the Wizards more of an opportunity to land their dream guy. They’re all in, 2016.