Bradley Beal is still out there, and that alone keeps him squarely in the middle of the free-agent conversation.
The 14-year veteran has become one of the most notable names left on the market after a rough stretch defined by injuries. Last season, Beal appeared in only six games with the Los Angeles Clippers before a hip injury ended his year. A couple of months ago, he declined his player option and moved into unrestricted free agency.
“LA Clippers guard Bradley Beal has declined his $5.6 million player option for next season and will become an unrestricted free agent. Beal signed with the Clippers last summer but the guard played in only six games after suffering a fracture in his left hip that required season-ending surgery. Beal averaged career lows of 8.2 points and 20.2 minutes per game while shooting 36.8% from 3," ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk wrote.
That background hasn’t stopped contending teams from showing interest. The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are among the clubs that have been linked to Beal, and both have reportedly had recent interest in bringing him in on a veteran’s minimum deal.
“The Celtics and Heat expressed recent interest in signing Bradley Beal on a veteran's minimum deal. Beal, who missed most of last season with a hip fracture, would like to join a title contender in the final few years of his career," NBA Evan Sidery wrote.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale expects Miami to beat Boston to the punch.
“Failing that, while Beal's on-ball pizzazz may be fading, outside shooting can endure. His past three seasons ranged between forgettable and regrettable, yet he still buried over 40 percent of his triples over that stretch.
Convincing him to jack more treys is the challenge. Coming off a serious injury, it's not one that should be taken lightly or treated as a sure thing,” Favale wrote.
If Beal can get back to full strength, the fit could matter a lot for Miami. The Heat are looking for more shooting, and Beal would be another veteran option in their ongoing effort to build a true contender around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Beal has earned $342 million in contracts over the course of his career, and he remains one of the veteran names Miami is tracking closely as it tries to put together a roster built for a deep playoff run in the coming years.
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