Wizards, Bradley Beal working on max contract

The Washington Wizards and restricted free agent Bradley Beal are optimistic about finalizing a five-year, $128 million maximum salary deal on Friday, Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told USA TODAY Sports.

The 23-year-old Beal was always expected to stay in Washington, and the prospect of coming to a quick agreement with their cornerstone shooting guard should make it easier for the Wizards to go shopping elsewhere in free agency.

While Washington has missed out on the chance to recruit free agent Kevin Durant, they still have enough salary cap space for another max player. Beal, who has dealt with his fair share of injuries these past few seasons, has averaged 16 points, three assists and 3.7 rebounds per game in his four seasons. He was drafted third overall out of Florida in 2012.