Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Boston Celtics
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Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are used to big moves. But even by their standards, this summer has been… different. Jayson Tatum is recovering. The roster is in flux. And the front office is actively retooling around its core.
While Damian Lillard might be the buzzy name making headlines, it’s another proven scorer who’s quietly emerging as a real possibility for Boston: Bradley Beal.
Beal’s expected buyout from the Phoenix Suns has yet to be finalized — and with the process stalling, could Boston be lurking as a sleeper candidate? NBA insider Marc Stein noted that the Celtics are among the frontrunners for Beal if he hits the open market.
Marc Stein
Bradley Beal is actively exploring his options with other teams in anticipation of a Suns buyout, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
There will be considerable interest in Beal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
More NBA from me earlier today: t.co/dUxPR8gyAU
Beal’s Buyout Delay Explained
Beal’s expected buyout has become one of the offseason’s most intriguing storylines. Initially believed to be finalized by July 9, the deal has yet to materialize — and we may now know why.
According to Stein, Beal’s current contract includes a 25% advance payment on his 2025–26 salary, valued at more than $13 million and due on July 15. While sources believe he will receive that amount regardless of how things unfold with the Suns, Beal could be choosing to wait for that payment to process before finalizing his departure.
Beal, who arrived in Phoenix via trade two summers ago, is due roughly $110 million over the next two seasons. His stint with the Suns has been rocky — marked by injuries, diminished touches, and eventually being benched toward the end of last season. With Kevin Durant now a Houston Rocket, Beal’s exit would mark yet another major shift for Phoenix.
Celtics a Sleeper in the Beal Sweepstakes
Once Beal clears waivers, several teams will be in the mix. The LA Clippers are considered early favorites. The Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors have also been linked.
But don’t sleep on Boston.
The Tatum-Beal connection is well-documented. Both are St. Louis natives. Both attended the same high school. And Tatum has long described Beal as a mentor and big brother. The idea of playing together has been floated for years — now, for the first time, the pathway is actually clear.
Jayson Tatum on his relationship with Bradley Beal:
“Two kids from Saint Louis. Not a lot of people make it out of there. For him to come out first, give me the blueprint, always come back AND be there for me, work out with me, show me the ropes.. that’s like my big brother.” pic.twitter.com/uwsUD3TKOp
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 10, 2024
Celtics Could Offer Stability and Contention
The Celtics could offer something no other team in the race can: a ready-made contender that becomes truly dangerous once Tatum returns. Beal wouldn’t have to carry the load. He’d be a high-level contributor in a room full of trust, chemistry, and championship aspirations.
He’d also bring exactly what Boston needs: scoring. With Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard leading the charge while Tatum recovers, Beal could provide instant offensive punch and help stabilize the second unit.
And don’t overlook the locker room angle. Beal wouldn’t just be walking into a team with title aspirations — he’d be joining a group that becomes a true contender once Tatum returns, built on trust and chemistry.
The Final Word
There are flashier fits for Beal on paper — Giannis in Milwaukee, the beach in Miami, the spotlight in Los Angeles. But Boston offers something different: stability, structure, and a locker room built on trust.
With Tatum watching from the sidelines, the Celtics are quietly reshaping their identity. If a veteran scorer like Beal is part of that vision, it wouldn’t just make basketball sense — it would send a message.