Bradley Beal is actively exploring options with other teams around the NBA ahead of a possible buyout from the Suns, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports (via Twitter). Stein adds that Beal is expected to have a number of suitors if and when he hits unrestricted free agency.
The Suns have struggled to find a trade partner for Beal, given both the no-trade clause included in his contract and his high cap hit. As a free agent, however, he would represent one of the top talents on the market.
Fred Katz of The Athletic confirms that there is mutual optimism between Beal and the Suns that they will be able to reach terms on a buyout.
[RELATED: Resolution On Bradley Beal Expected Soon]
In order for the Suns to exercise the stretch provision on the two years and $110.8MM left on Beal’s contract, he would have to give back roughly $13.9MM in order to meet league rules prohibiting a team from exceeding 15% of the salary cap in stretched money. Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link) expects that to happen, citing a source who believes a buyout agreement is “imminent.”
Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game last season while shooting 49.7% from the field, 38.6% on three-pointers, and 80.3% from the free throw line while splitting time between the starting lineup and sixth man role, a lineup decision that ultimately proved unable to turn the Suns’ disappointing season around.
While the Heat and Bucks have been cited as team with interest in Beal, he’ll likely have several more suitors beyond those two teams.
Beal on minimum should interest a lot of Contenders. He is a 3rd or 4th option and if he can accept that he will find a good place.
He is probably hoping to get somewhere around the MLE at 14M although around 7M would make back what he loses in the buyout. Beal at those numbers is a solid player. Hes good, just not 110M/2 good…
This, he’s looking to recoup the money has to forego in the buyout
A 2year 14m would work then, but itll be better if he just gets 14m right away on a 1yr deal.
So it depends on which teams have the cap room or exemption of at least 7m to sign him to a 1yr 14m or 2 year 14m deal.
Chap, who has the cap space to pay him right now?
Any team with the 14.1 MLE still available
@aristotle
Beats me. A bunch of teams still have the MLE or could maneuver to get it if they wanted. Some were probably planning on holding it into the season as a 14M TPE. Obviously all the tax teams are out on the full.
2 playoffs teams can make Beal an offer for $20 million for 1 season?
Grizzlies
Pistons
Ja and Beal on the same team? Lol no
If Beal is looking for his PHX buyout amount in his new deal (which is usual), then he’d want about 14 mm/2 years. Who can give him that? No team trying to win has an exception like that and/or is pushing up against one of the aprons.
Some teams can give a partial MLE at 7M without having room for the full 14M.
If there’s a team that has cap space to absorb a bad contract from a contender, so the contender can free up room, they’re going to be able to stock up on some picks
would love to see the lakers maneuver and get him on their roster .. would be fun watching LeBron try to guard four players by himself
LeBron is a horrible defender, has been for years. Good at getting burnt and blaming others though. When he’s not the flopping king that is.
Lebron can guard for a certain amount of minutes. He can’t be the number two option on offense and play 36 minutes and be a top defender. He is 40 years old for crying out loud. Not bringing back Finney-Smith was terrible short-term decision unless they can trade for someone similar while still haven’t gotten their center. I don’t know if they are willing to package a first along with center they got from Dallas whose is escaping me. Or getting Wiggins from Miami. Something more has to be coming.
Knicks have that $7M MLE open…