The Suns and Heat had exploratory talks this week about the possibility of a Bradley Beal trade, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link). However, those discussions “ultimately collapsed,” resulting in a rising belief that the veteran guard will ultimately be bought out by Phoenix.
If the two sides do end up working out a buyout agreement, expect the Heat to show interest in signing Beal as a free agent, per Fischer and Stein, who say the Bucks would also be interested in adding the three-time All-Star if he reaches free agency.
Here’s more from The Stein Line duo:
- In addition to looking more seriously at a possible Beal buyout, the Suns have also engaged in conversations with teams about various trade scenarios involving center Nick Richards and wings Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, Stein and Fischer say.
- After turning away interest from the Mavericks and Hornets earlier in free agency, Chris Paul continues to consider the Suns and Clippers. Stein and Fischer confirm he’s also receiving interest from the Bucks, who have been on the lookout for another point guard in the hopes of filling the sizable hole left by Damian Lillard‘s Achilles injury (and impending release). ESPN’s Shams Charania said during a Thursday SportsCenter appearance that Paul, who is known to prefer playing closer to his family in Los Angeles, spoke to Bucks officials on Wednesday (hat tip to Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report).
- Speaking of Lillard, Stein and Fischer classify the Heat‘s interest in signing the Oakland native as “serious,” but acknowledge that the injured star will likely be in no rush to sign his next contract.
- The Pacers, Kings, and Pelicans are among the other teams who remain on the hunt for another point guard, Stein and Fischer write.
If he was smart, he’d surrender some money and get brought out then sign with Milwaukee.
With Dame gone he’d walk into a starting position on a contender alongside one of the best players in the game in Giannas. They also have a huge need for a ball handler and perimeter scorer.
His defence isn’t terrible but either way he’s have Giannas and Turner in the paint covering him.
Last year he still put up good numbers in a good amount of games. I certainly wouldn’t write the bucks off with Beal Kuzma Giannas and Turner, that’s better than the Lakers and they play in the easier eastern conference.
Miami wouldn’t be great cause his style is too similar to Herro just like it is now to Booker. Plus they have more competition with Mitchell, Kasparas, Jacquez and so on. But again eastern conference he’d be alright but the Bucks would be better
Very curious what Miami would’ve been sending in this trade. PHX has zero picks to give, right? Miami would need to aggregate some big salaries but does Beal actually have value especially with his contract?
I’m guessing it was Rozier and Duncan Robinson plus maybe a couple seconds?
But now he’s gone.
Rozier and Wiggins combine for too much I think and I don’t think the suns have the cap flexibility to send out multiple players in 1 trade.