Washington Wizards are in ‘serious talks’ with Phoenix Suns and the Miami Heat for Bradley Beal

The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are in “serious talks” to acquire Bradley Beal in a transaction from the Washington Wizards, according to The Shams Charania of athletics.

Although Beal has played 11 seasons in Washington and the struggling franchise has repeatedly postponed a rebuild, it seems the Wizards are willing to part with their best player – and his mammoth contract – in anticipation of a strong draft.

Beal is a three-time All-Star, but has missed a combined 74 games over the past two seasons through injuries and owes $46.7 million next season.

That number will only increase during his five-year, $251 million deal, as he has a player option for a whopping $57 million in 2026-27.

Nevertheless, the Suns and Heat are interested in him, despite his hefty price tag – though it looks like Miami has more resources to send to Washington in a possible deal.

He would team with All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix if traded to the Suns

Following the acquisition of Kevin Durant from Brooklyn, the Suns are without their first-round picks of 2023, 2025, 2027 and 2029.

And they can’t trade the first-round picks they do own between those years, because the Stepien rule prohibits teams from being without a first-rounder in consecutive years.

With Durant and Devin Booker supposed to be untouchable, Phoenix should probably deal a combination of DeAndre Ayton and/or Chris Paul in addition to other players.

Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report said it was believed there was a deal between Paul and Landry Shamet would be necessary to get Beal to Phoenix if he got there.

Beal has a no-trade clause, which means he will receive approval for his next destination.

Meanwhile, the Heat own their pick in next Thursday’s NBA Draft – the No. 18 overall selection – and could also use the 2028, 2029 or 2030 first round in a deal.

A Heat trade for Beal would likely be a combination of this year’s first round pick Kyle Lowry and another player like Duncan Robinson or Victor Oladipo.

Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported the team tries to close the trade without Tyler Herro being involved.

Beal averaged 31.3 points just three seasons ago, but the Suns of Heat could score him for a relatively modest trading package because of the inflated salary they would have to take.

Phoenix could end up well outside the NBA’s luxury tax if it acquires Beal, as the franchise will already be $3.6 million over the threshold next season before the scorer possibly arrives.

Beal, seen at the US Open last summer, has played for the Wizards since the 2012-2013 season

Under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, teams above the “second platform” of the luxury tax — which is $17.5 million above the tax — will face severe restrictions.

Those teams will lose the mid-level exception, will no longer be able to use cash as part of trades starting in 2024, and their draft pick will be moved to the end of the first round – regardless of record – seven years after they first competed. participated in competition. apron, if they stay there for two of the next four years.

So adding Beal to Durant’s ($46.4 million) and Booker’s ($36 million) salaries could be too big a pill to swallow for Phoenix.

For Miami, who was unoffensive when it fell to the Nuggets in the NBA Finals, it could be just what they need.