Those Wizards are 13-24 since their 10-3 start, and with Beal set to hit free agency this offseason, his future appears uncertain for the first time in years.

But according to The Athletic's David Aldridge and Josh Robbins , while Beal's preference remains winning in Washington, he is now conflicted about his future with the Wizards.

Washington is currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, set to miss a play-in round that Beal recently said would be a " step back" for the Wizards.

They would instead prefer to build around him, but they are at a first-round pick deficit, thanks to the Russell Westbrook-for-John Wall trade, and bad contracts given to Davis Bertans and Spencer Dinwiddie limit their flexibility in future moves.

According to Aldridge and Robbins, Philadelphia would be interested in a Simmons-for-Beal swap, but not with another major piece like Matisse Thybulle or Tyrese Maxey involved.

If Beal were then unwilling to sign with another cap space team, Washington's Bird rights would be his only path to a max contract.