The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, shaking up their roster with a mix of bold moves and calculated risks. General manager Jon Horst surprised many by waiving Damian Lillard and stretching his $112.6 million contract, absorbing $22.5 million in dead money over five years to create cap flexibility.
The Bucks quickly used that room to bring in 3-and-D center Myles Turner, added Serbian prospect Bogoljub Markovic in the draft, signed veteran guard Gary Harris and traded for Vasilije Micic. They also re-signed several role players to keep continuity around star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Now, the Bucks could be lining up their next big swing by targeting three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal, should he hit the open market.
Bradley Beal
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) puts up a layup against San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14).
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Milwaukee and Miami are both keeping tabs on Beal’s situation with the Phoenix Suns, who are reportedly exploring a buyout of the $251 million deal he signed with the Washington Wizards. “Sources say both Milwaukee and Miami, in fact, would have interest in signing Beal in that scenario,” Stein reported.
The 32-year-old still has two years and $110 million left on his deal, but the Suns may be motivated to trim salary and move on from a disappointing season. If a buyout happens, Beal would become an unrestricted free agent, free of the no-trade clause that limits Phoenix's flexibility.
While Beal is no longer the 30-point scorer he once was, he remains a reliable offensive weapon. He averaged 17.0 points on nearly 50% shooting last season and would bring another layer of shot-making to Milwaukee’s backcourt.
With the Bucks clearly in “win-now” mode around Antetokounmpo and Turner, Beal could be the next big piece if Phoenix decides to cut ties.