With Jimmy Butler in tow, the Miami Heat are now looking to build around their new prize-possession. Their attention has turned to Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Even former NBA player Matt Barnes threw gasoline on the Beal-to-Miami fire.
However, the Heat’s inquires turned unsuccessful, as the Wizards are intent on keeping Beal and rebuilding around him, for now, according to Fred Katz of the Athletic.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN did his best to squash the rumors.
The Wizards are certainly in rebuild mode as they have moved on from Tomas Satoransky, who is signing with the Chicago Bulls, Bobby Portis, who is signing with the New York Knicks, and Trevor Ariza, who is signing with the Sacramento Kings. And this comes after the team traded Otto Porter Jr. to the Bulls and Kelly Oubre to the Phoenix Suns ahead of last season’s trade deadline.
Beal has two years and roughly $56 million remaining on his current contract with the Wizards. Teams have been lining up gauging interest on whether Washington is willing to trade the two-time All-Star, but to no avail thus far.
Beal is coming off a career-year last season, but the Wizards have been strapped for cash against the salary cap and has been unable to be a major player in this summer’s free agency. And with John Wall’s super-max that pays roughly an annual salary average of $42 million over the next four years, the Wizards are currently limited in how they maneuver with signings long-term.
With Wall expected to miss the 2019-20 season, the Wizards are looking at entering next season with a skeleton roster that could produce a potential starting lineup of Ish Smith, Beal, Rui Hachimura, Troy Brown, Jr., and Thomas Bryant. Tanking may be in the best interest of the franchise moving forward. If so, the teams will continue to buzz the Wizards about trading Beal.
For now, interim GM Tommy Sheppard wants to stand pat. How the season plays out may change that stance when it comes to Bradley Beal.
