WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 09: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards dunks in front of Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks during the second half at Verizon Center on October 9, 2015 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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The first big announcement of the 2016 NBA free agency period came from the Washington Wizards, but it wasn’t the Kevin Durant deal that so many had been wishing for.

The Wizards are close to securing their former No. 3 overall pick from back in 2012, Bradley Beal, to a 5-year, $128 million deal, according to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski said on The Vertical’s live free agency show that the deal could come as soon as Friday, and the deal comes as no surprise.

Beal has given the Wizards four good years since he entered the league. Last season, he averaged 17.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists for a Wizards team that missed the playoffs by a few games last season, after having a handful of injuries over the course of the season.

The Wizards fired head coach Randy Wittman after their disappointing season, and have brought in former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks. Brooks will certainly be happy that the team secured their young shooting guard, keeping a key piece in place moving forward.

Securing Beal will help the Wizards attempt to pursue other free agents, and they apparently have Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford on their list.

[The Vertical]

About Harry Lyles Jr.

Harry Lyles Jr. is an Atlanta-based writer, and a Georgia State University graduate.

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