Bradley Beal Has Begun Exploring Other Opportunities; Anticipating Buyout From S

[rondohondo]

Phoenix Suns guard Bradly Beal has begun the process of finding his next team. Beal is anticipating a buyout coming from the Suns. Upon clearing waivers, Beal will be an unrestricted free agent.

Because he's assuming he'll be waived soon, Beal has begun exploring opportunities with other teams. It's unknown what the veteran guard's priorities will be when choosing where to play next.

In 53 games (38 starts) for Phoenix last season, Beal averaged 17 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Beal shot 49.7% from the floor, including 38.6% on five three-point attempts per game.

Would be interesting going small with

White
Beal
Brown
Jt
Defensive center

[Jiri Welsch]

Even though Beal technically could sign for a minimum contract after getting bought out, it seems like that wouldn't be good for any potential contract after his next one.

Would love to be wrong about that though. Tatum can try to leverage that St. Louis connection.

[Celtics2021]

Even though Beal technically could sign for a minimum contract after getting bought out, it seems like that wouldn't be good for any potential contract after his next one.

Would love to be wrong about that though. Tatum can try to leverage that St. Louis connection.

Since he has two years left, half of whatever he makes those next two seasons above the minimum goes back to the Suns, if he doesn?t give up money.  He may therefore be inclined to accept a two year minimum, with a 1+1 player option structure. I don?t love Beal?s game at this point, but I would like it much more at the minimum.

[keevsnick]

Even though Beal technically could sign for a minimum contract after getting bought out, it seems like that wouldn't be good for any potential contract after his next one.

Would love to be wrong about that though. Tatum can try to leverage that St. Louis connection.

Since he has two years left, half of whatever he makes those next two seasons above the minimum goes back to the Suns, if he doesn?t give up money.  He may therefore be inclined to accept a two year minimum, with a 1+1 player option structure. I don?t love Beal?s game at this point, but I would like it much more at the minimum.

He has to give up about 14 million in order to get his remaining money low enough that the Suns can legally stretch him. An NBA team can't have more than 15% of the cap tied up in dead money. My guess is 14 million over 2 years is about what it will take to sign him after the buyout.

Personally, I'd much rather they target Lillard. Based on last year, Lillard was simply a significantly better player. He played at a borderline all-nba level whereas Beal was more of a solid starter type level.

Lillard EPM: 0ff: +3.0 Def: -.3 Overall: +2.6 (94th %)
Beal EPM: Off: -.3 Def: -.7 Overall: -1.1 (60th %)

Lillard was more efficient and generates far more gravity with his shooting. Now, maybe Lillard is just cooked because of the injury. But I think he has more upside than Beal, and that's what the C's should be chasing.

[Roy H.]

I'm not interested.  Let him go to the Heat.

[Celtics4ever]

With the new CBA, I think the league is going to change it's mindset.  Draft picks provider cost control, and will be more valuable to teams and they have a nice window of cost control.

Most teams won't want to load up with players every year, because of the tax costs and penalties.  Teams might do it for a narrow window which ours has past but most teams won't be able to afford it.

The days of adding old guys, past their prime to teams is going to change some if they cost a lot.   Vet minimums are going to be more common for the buy out guys than ever.

I know Beal is a friend of Tatum, but I too think it would be a mistake.   He is not a winning basketball player...

[Jiri Welsch]

With the new CBA, I think the league is going to change it's mindset.  Draft picks provider cost control, and will be more valuable to teams and they have a nice window of cost control.

Most teams won't want to load up with players every year, because of the tax costs and penalties.  Teams might do it for a narrow window which ours has past but most teams won't be able to afford it.

The days of adding old guys, past their prime to teams is going to change some if they cost a lot.   Vet minimums are going to be more common for the buy out guys than ever.

I know Beal is a friend of Tatum, but I too think it would be a mistake.   He is not a winning basketball player...

The more I think about it and reflect on my interest stemming from a desire to make ANY roster move... I agree Beal isn't the answer.

[Donoghus]

I don't want Beal anywhere near this team.

[Roy H.]

I don't want Beal anywhere near this team.

Beal + Ben Simmons.  Championship.

[Who]

Beal did not work well with Durant & D Booker. I don't think he would work well with Tatum & Jaylen either. Beal needs to be a high usage offensive player. He doesn't work well as a #3 option.

I do think Beal could be useful next season while Tatum is out because he can be a top 2 option alongside Jaylen. But then you have a squeeze in the backcourt with A Simons, D White, Pritchard and Beal. Someone would have to go. If the plan is to move A Simons anyway, that could be a non-issue.

[Vermont Green]

I'm not interested.  Let him go to the Heat.

It is as simple as that.  Beal has not been a good player in years.  I don't expect him to be a good player in 2026-27 (when it would matter for BOS).  There will be some interest from teams like the Lakers, MIN, teams like that.

[Phantom255x]

I'd still be interested in Lillard even with his flaws/age.

Not Beal though. Beal has also pretty much checked out in the recent past and many believed he was purposely sitting games with "injuries" when he probably could have played. If he played consistently as a #3 behind KD/Book they probably could have been a little better but he showed no signs of being willing to. That's not a guy I'd want in our locker room either.

[perks-a-beast]

Milwaukee would be a great opportunity for him in terms of building back his reputation and having a chance to win - but dude clearly doesn?t care about either of those things.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Milwaukee would be a great opportunity for him in terms of building back his reputation and having a chance to win - but dude clearly doesn?t care about either of those things.

If I was in Beal's situation, the Bucks would be one of the last teams I would look at. It's a dead end where you will never be good enough, and you are likely to be left by Giannis in the near future.