According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns are the leading contenders in the mix for Beal. It is worth noting that Beal has a no-trade clause and holds control over the situation, as he will only waive the clause for a team and trade that align with his preferences.
Washington is in serious talks with Miami and Phoenix on a Bradley Beal trade, per @ShamsCharania
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 17, 2023
The Suns have emerged as a serious threat for Beal, who holds a no-trade clause. pic.twitter.com/uexTZVn8fN
The swift progress in talks can be attributed to the Wizards' concerns that Beal may not remain their best available player in the coming weeks. There is a potential that the Heat, in particular, might explore other options if they are unable to strike a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for a star player to pair with Damian Lillard. However, it is important to clarify that as of now, the Trail Blazers have no intentions of trading Lillard. They are committed to rebuilding the team around him, as affirmed by league sources and discussed in detail on the latest PBT Podcast by myself and Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report. Consequently, it is highly likely that Lillard will start the next season as a Trail Blazer.
As mentioned in our podcast and corroborated by Marc Stein's newsletter update, the Miami Heat would prefer to wait a few weeks before making a trade. Their approach is to observe how the situation unfolds with Portland. It is essential to note that technically, Lillard cannot be traded until July 9, although a deal could be agreed upon before that date. Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards are eager to expedite the trade process, just in case. Currently, Lillard is a superior player to Beal by a considerable margin. Lillard's performance earned him a spot on the Third Team All-NBA this season, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, while Beal has not made an All-Star appearance since the pandemic and has played only 90 games over the past two seasons.
The Miami Heat have been viewed as the frontrunners in the pursuit of Beal since the beginning. This is due to Beal's previous expressed interest in the franchise and the Heat's win-now mentality built around players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. On paper, a healthy Beal (who has been absent for a couple of seasons) would complement their roster effectively. There are various trade scenarios being explored, but the Heat are reportedly attempting to retain swingman Tyler Herro in the deal, as reported by Antony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The Miami Heat are trying to get the Bradley Beal trade done without including Tyler Herro, per @Anthony_Chiang pic.twitter.com/IEfFi9JoT6
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 17, 2023
If Herro is not included in the trade, an alternative offer could involve Kyle Lowry (entering the final year of his contract at $29.6 million), Duncan Robinson, and a couple of first-round picks. Miami could potentially use their No. 18 pick in this year's draft as part of the trade package and include the selected player, in addition to a future first-round selection. The Wizards now face the decision of prioritizing either the expiring contract and financial flexibility offered by Lowry or the young and talented former Sixth Man of the Year in Herro, who is signed for four more years at a total of $120 million. It is important to note that a trade involving Herro cannot be finalized until July 6.
