by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

WASHINGTON –Late in close games, Wizards coach Randy Wittman has grown comfortable with putting the basketball in the hands of his 19-year-old rookie. When Beal hears a play called for him in the huddle with the game on the line, nerves sweep over him.

“I get nervous,” Beal told USA TODAY Sports. “It comes quickly, especially when he tells you to get the ball and create and do something. Once, I step on the court, it’s totally different. It disappears and then you just have to go out and play ball.”

Beal has earned Wittman’s trust and confidence in late-game situations, making a three-pointer to send the game into a second overtime against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 4 and hitting the winning shot with 0.3 seconds left against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 7.

“He’s probably our best one-on-one guy to create an opportunity,” Wittman said.

Beal’s play has also gotten the attention of league executives. But Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein told USA TODAY Sports that Washington has no plans to trade Beal to the Memphis Grizzlies in a potential deal would involve forward Rudy Gay, disputing reports that surfaced Sunday night.

“I’ve talked with the Wizards and with Memphis and there’s absolutely nothing to it,” Bartelstein said. “I’m sure lots of teams would to like to have Brad, but the Wizards have absolutely no intention of trading him.”

Despite a few nerves, Beal relishes the opportunity to take game-changing shots. “In the last couple of games, coach has put the ball in my hands, and I’ve done pretty good things with it,” he said. “At this level, you can become famous off of that and become a legend. I try to view it as just another shot.”

Despite a few nerves, Beal relishes the opportunity to take game-changing shots. “In the last couple of games, coach has put the ball in my hands, and I’ve done pretty good things with it,” he said. “At this level, you can become famous off of that and become a legend. I try to view it as just another shot.”

Beal, the NBA’s rookie of the month in December, … [For more on Wizards have no plans to trade Bradley Beal, click here.]