NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is exploring options on the buyout market, meaning his time in the desert could soon come to an end. One of the teams that has been linked to Beal the past few months is the Heat, but they all but removed themselves from being a landing spot for the 32-year-old after trading for Norman Powell on Monday.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Clippers sent Powell to the Heat as part of a three-team trade with the Jazz. If Beal was strongly considering going to Miami, that option is off the table. If he was set on going to the Heat, a buyout might've flown out the window.
Stein added that the Bucks would also be interested in signing Beal if he hit the free-agent market. While returning to the East to play with Giannis Antetokounmpo is tempting, maybe relocating to Milwaukee isn't something Beal is willing to do.
Bradley Beal is actively exploring his options with other teams in anticipation of a Suns buyout, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2025
There will be considerable interest in Beal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
More NBA from me earlier today: https://t.co/dUxPR8gyAU pic.twitter.com/Blp3L0qqpZ
Beal and his family put down roots in Phoenix, and part of the reason he previously didn't want to be traded was because he didn't want to uproot his family.
Heat out of the running for Bradley Beal after Norman Powell trade
Beal will have to agree to accept less money than what is remaining on his contract in a buyout. If the Suns waive and stretch the rest of his contract, it'd mean Beal forfeiting $13.9 million of what's left on his $110.8 million contract. He holds the leverage.
If Beal doesn't want to go to the Bucks, there is seemingly now an opening for him to go to the Clippers after they lost their best shooter. Los Angeles isn't one of the top teams in the West, but there is an appeal to being in Southern California. It isn't far from Phoenix, either.
There could be other teams interested in signing Beal as a free agent, but if he wants to up his value, he should want to join a team where he can showcase his talents. He might not be interested in playing a smaller role on a top team in either conference.
The Suns aren't out of the woods yet. In fact, they're still far from it. Beal's no-trade clause prevented Phoenix from trading him in February, and not accepting less money than what's left on his deal could result in him beginning the 2025-26 season in the Valley.