After years in Eastern Conference purgatory, the Washington Wizards finally look like a franchise heading in the right direction, which is why it was wise to not pursue a plan to acquire Beal at the trade deadline.

It’s been just over a year and a half since the Phoenix Suns gave the Washington Wizards a metaphorical Get Out of Jail Free card, taking on the majority of Bradley Beal’s quarter-billion dollar contract in exchange for Chris Paul — who was traded to Golden State just 12 days later — Landry Shamet,