Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks to take the shot during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal wants the max contract, and while some fans are upset, they cannot – and should not – blame him

“The Washington Wizards have the best young back court in the NBA.”

It wasn’t long ago that the quoted mantra actually meant something, especially to Wizards fans who’ve been yearning for stars in the nation’s capital since Gilbert Arenas brought guns into the locker room.

The duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal, were, in fact, one of the best young back courts in the NBA.

Prior to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson completely taking over the league, Washington’s guards were always in the headlines proclaiming they were the best.

Last year, the duo led the Wizards to their second consecutive appearance in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and were an injury (or a Paul Pierce buzzer beater) away from pushing the Atlanta Hawks to seven games, giving themselves a shot to make the Conference Finals.

The Wizards finally had a back court that not only said they were the best, but backed it up with their play on the court, leading the team to legitimate success in the postseason.

This past season, that kind of went away.

Beal dealt with another stress reaction in his leg – his fourth in as many seasons – and played in just 55 games, which was the lowest total since he entered the league in 2012.

Wall went on to have the best individual season of his career, averaging roughly 20 points and 10 assists and somehow led the miserable club to a .500 finish.

Wall carried the club without much help and certainly didn’t get any from his back court mate, who spent a large chunk of the season in a suit on the bench.

Now, the time has come for the Washington Wizards to make a decision.

They decided not to re-sign Beal this past summer, allowing him to become a restricted free agent this year.

Beal, who’s still only just 22-years-old, hasn’t progressed much since his rookie season.

His 3-point and free throw percentage both dipped this past season, and he played a career-low minutes.

Beal showed plenty of promise during the playoffs, but it unfortunately didn’t carry over during the regular. After a hot start to the season – he averaged 21 points during the first three months – injuries derailed any momentum he put together.

Washington viewed Beal as a long-term piece after selecting him third overall and that hasn’t changed much. But, that contract is going to change, which could alter the Wizards’ thinking.

Reports have indicated that Washington intends to re-sign Beal, but these situations are very fluid.

On Monday, Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post wrote about Beal’s desire to get the max contract:

“I feel like I’m a max player and that’s what I’m looking for. If Washington can’t meet that requirement then I may be thinking elsewhere. I’m pretty sure that they probably won’t [let me go]. At the end of the day, that’s where I want to be. I think a deal will probably get done but you just never know.”

Given the injury-riddled history and his lack of growth as a player, Bradley Beal certainly isn’t worth the max contract right now, but that won’t stop teams from offering the deal.

Washington will likely match any contract offer Beal receives and I would be shocked if he doesn’t get the five-year max from the team. Trade speculation is exactly just that.

Any trade that was going to occur should have happened before the trade deadline. Now the Wizards are kind of stuck; they can either let him walk or re-sign him. They’ve invested too much to allow him to leave.

After reading Beal’s quote, it’s easy to see why some fans would get upset with the guard. He even suggested that he would consider leaving the Washington Wizards if another team offered him more money.

But don’t blame Beal for the Wizards’ mistakes. He’s simply a worker who wants to make the most money for working, just like any of us.

The market is going to set Beal’s value and he’ll undoubtedly get a max offer elsewhere.

Teams that are in dire need of talent, like the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, won’t hesitate to give a player with upside the max contract.

Beal meets that criteria as a 22-year-old guard with scoring ability.

Every player should get the most money they possibly can.

Teams are quick to trade players when they no longer need their services and the bond really doesn’t exist.

The friendships that Beal formed in Washington don’t matter, to put it bluntly.

Everyone who steps onto an NBA court is an athlete and a businessman. The NBA is a business and the players are the workers.

If your boss told you to take less money to work for him while others offered you more money for the same services, you would leave – just like Beal will if he doesn’t get the max deal from Washington.

The Washington Wizards should have pursued a trade way before the summer. That ship has sailed, though. The Wizards have no choice but to give Beal the max, even if he’s not worth it yet. But, remember: that’s not his fault.

Beal understands the nature of the business and it’s foolish to blame him for wanting more money than he should get.

If other teams are willing to give him the max, then that’s what he’s worth in the market. There aren’t many 22-year-old guards that are on the cusp of becoming an All-Star available in free agency.

The Wizards have cornered themselves and Beal has made it clear that he wants the max. Now the Wizards have to pay the man.