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Wizards owner: Team not trading Beal, Wall or Porter Jr.

By Sam Amico
Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal has been at the center of trade rumors since the first month of the season. Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI
Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal has been at the center of trade rumors since the first month of the season. Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The Washington Wizards won't be trading shooting guard Bradley Beal, point guard John Wall or small forward Otto Porter Jr. before next week's deadline, team owner Ted Leonsis said.

"We're not trading any of those players," Leonsis said in an interview with WTOP radio.

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Beal and Wall were said to be available earlier this season, with Porter's name being tossed around in trade rumors more recently. But Wall went down with season-ending heel surgery last month, and his large contract ($170 million over four years) already was deterring most opponents from exploring trades.

Both Beal and Wall have said they want to remain in Washington.

Beal has been linked to the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers, though it is not known if anyone actually called the Wizards about any of their players.

Porter Jr. has been mentioned in rumors involving mostly Western Conference teams, such as the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans.

Leonsis later added that general manager Ernie Grunfeld also is safe for the time being, but suggested the Wizards will need to make the playoffs it to stay that way.

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"I'm happy if we meet our goals." Leonsis said. "We would have to look at the entire organization whenever we don't meet our goals."

The Wizards (22-29) entered Thursday two games behind the Charlotte Hornets for the East's final playoff spot.

The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 7.

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