The Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat are the frontrunners to acquire Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
The Wizards’ new front-office leaders and Beal have a mutual understanding that they intend to work together to find a trade that would send the three-time All-Star shooting guard to a contender if the team elects to reset the organization this offseason and enter a rebuild.
Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he gets to choose the team that trades for him. The 29-year-old, who has spent his entire career with the Wizards, signed a five-year, $251 million deal last offseason.
The Heat are looking to add a third star next to small forward Jimmy Butler and center Bam Adebayo after losing the 2023 Finals to the Denver Nuggets, while the Bucks are looking to make a splash after getting bounced by the Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Beal is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 50.6% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 84.2% from the free-throw line. The St. Louis native will make $46.7 million next season.
It’s going to be very fascinating to see where Beal is playing next season. The Florida product has never gotten past the second round of the playoffs in his career. The Heat and Bucks would certainly be title contenders with Beal, who has career averages of 22.1 points, 4.1 boards and 4.3 assists.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Wizards, should they trade Beal, are expected to embark on a rebuild. That means swingman Kyle Kuzma and power forward Kristaps Porzingis could be on new teams next season as well. Both players are expected to test free agency this offseason.
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