The Milwaukee Bucks’ path to landing Bradley Beal, if they would have him, just got clearer.
Beal, currently under contract on a five-year, $251 million pact with the Phoenix Suns, is expected to secure his release via the waive-and-stretch provision, per PHNX’s Gerald Bourguet on July 6. Beal is expected to generate significant interest.
However, one rival suitor, the Miami Heat, made a trade that effectively limited their ability to land him and their need for him, which undoubtedly works in the Bucks’ favor.
The Heat completed a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz.
That deal landed Clippers guard Norman Powell in South Beach. Powell is not on the same level as Beal offensively, but he is a reasonable enough facsimile that, when accounting for his superior defense, makes Beal a potentially superfluous target.
Moreover, the trade has hard-capped the Heat at the first luxury tax apron. They were more than $25 million from the actual apron before the trade, per Spotrac.
However, the trade pushes Miami to just $3.9 million below, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks on July 7.
That leaves the Bucks, whom The Stein Line’s Marc Stein named among a slew of other suitors on July 7, in a stronger position than they were when the Heat, who were on the list, were still viewed as a potential landing spot for Beal.
Mutual Interest Rumored Between Bradley Beal, Bucks
GettyBradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the New York Knicks.
The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported on the Bucks as a potential suitor for Beal on July 4, also naming the Heat before their trade. ESPN’s Shams Charania, then with Stadium, reported on the Bucks (and Heat) as suitors for Beal in June 2023.
“Burns & Gambo” host John Gambadoro reported in January that Beal would have waived his no-trade clause to join the Bucks.
However, there is a significant potential caveat that has since emerged.
The Bucks waived and stretched Damian Lillard, just as the Suns plan to do with Beal, an unexpected move the former Milwaukee star was excited about. Part of the Bucks’ reasoning was Lillard wanting to rehab from his torn Achilles in Portland, closer to his family.
Bucks officials declined that request, per Chris Haynes on NBA TV on July 1, opting instead to part with Lillard, who happens to be close friends with Beal.
Whether or not Beal was only interested because of Lillard or has soured since is unclear.
Bucks Bring Back Young PGs
GettyBradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before playing the Toronto Raptors.
The Bucks could opt against Beal, who has a considerable injury history of his own, and roll with their incumbent group of guards, at least until another option emerges.
They re-signed both Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins in free agency this offseason.
Porter re-signed on a two-year, $11 million contract. There is a player option for the second year, with Charania reporting on June 30 that Milwaukee “prioritized bringing back Porter and finalized a deal.”
The Bucks rescinded their qualifying offer to Rollins, a restricted free agent, per Haynes on July 1. Rollins is returning on a three-year, $12 million deal, per Charania on July 6.
Whether or not that means the Bucks would still consider adding Beal is also unclear.
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