Bradley Beal is expected to become the next big-name guard to hit the free agent market in the coming days. The veteran has been in buyout talks for the Suns for several days per multiple reports and will likely have the remaining two years of his deal waived and stretched over five years to provide some cap relief for the Suns.
Fred Katz of the Athletic reports that Beal would need to give back roughly $13.9 million in a buyout of the remaining $110.9 million on his contract in order for the Suns to meet league rules about stretching a contract.
Beal is actively exploring options with other teams ahead of his buyout per NBA insider Marc Stein on X with the Bucks and Heat mentioned as potential suitors. Should the Celtics be one of the teams registering interest in the 32-year-old once he hits the open market? Let’s examine the potential factors in play in what could be a very crowded market for the shooting guard.
What would Beal cost?
Like another possible Celtics target in Damian Lillard, Beal will not break the bank in his next deal. He’s going to get $97 million over his next two years from the Suns after his buyout comes through so he can focus on finding the right fit for himself as a player or just opt for a winning situation over the money.
Beal has already made over $318 million in his career but he’s far from the end of his career at age 32, a big difference for Lillard’s situation. Ultimately, Beal could be looking to bounce back with a new team and earn one final payday down the road. Whether that type of deal is out there for him at this age after a brutal stint in Phoenix is another matter.
The Celtics would only be able to offer the taxpayer midlevel at most, but it’s unlikely they would do that this season regardless with their repeater tax situation and Jayson Tatum’s injury.
Elsewhere on the open market, there’s not a lot of money out there for Beal. Some teams still have a portion of their mid-level or another exception leftover but it’s unlikely Beal gets much above a veteran’s minimum from potential suitors (Bucks, Clippers, Warriors, etc.)
Would it make sense for the Celtics to go after Beal?
If it’s only a one-year deal, it’s difficult to make a strong case for it. Tatum’s injury and Boston’s financial situation makes this season somewhat more about the future than the present for Boston. There is opportunity available for a guy like Beal in Boston, but if he’s going to be out the door at the end of the season looking for a better deal, that wouldn’t make much sense for Boston’s long-term vision. The Celtics conceivably could offer Beal taxpayer mid-level money after this year but that would still be a roll of the dice if the former All-Star has a big bounce back year.
If Beal was willing to commit beyond this season, that’s an entirely different equation. His relationship with Tatum could be a factor, so if he’s willing to hang around until Tatum returns, the Celtics would certainly be open to that (at the right price). Whether Beal is willing to commit to that type of cheap deal against other suitors on the open market (who may have better teams in the present) is another matter. The Clippers just opened up a spot at shooting guard by dealing away Norm Powell to the Heat in a three-team trade, opening the door for him to have a big role in LA.
Ultimately, given Boston’s situation for next season and Beal’s crowded market, it feels like a long shot that he has much interest in Boston at what they can offer. Look for him to find a home quickly in the coming week once he hits the open market.
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