


The Bradley Beal trade talks appear to be coming to a head.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Heat and Suns are the two finalists to land the Wizards’ star, who has a no-trade clause.
Charania added that the Suns are a “serious threat” to get Beal in a deal.
Beal signed a five-year, $251 million contract in 2022 and is owed over $46 million for the 2023-24 season before seeing that number rise to over $50 million for the next three years.
And with Washington finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 35-47 record, new general manager Michael Winger has the green light to blow up and rebuild the roster — a process that in all likelihood starts with Beal and his large contract.
The Athletic reported Wednesday that Beal and the Wizards “intend to work together” on a trade to a contender if new the franchise’s new front office team does indeed go ahead with a rebuild.
Beal failed to play more than 60 games in each of the last four seasons, including a career-low of 40 games in 2021-22 due to a wrist injury.
In 50 games this year, Beal averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per night but was limited again by injuries.
On Thursday, the Miami Herald reported that “there is a path to the Heat acquiring” both Beal and Blazers superstar Damian Lilllard, which would require “cooperation” from both Portland and Washington.
As it stands, the Heat are $67 million over the salary cap, while Phoenix is over $74 million over the cap, according to Spotrac.
Both the Heat and Suns fell to the eventual champion Nuggets in the postseason and could be looking for a final piece to get over the hump.