The Miami Heat have responded quickly after missing out on the signing of the outgoing Bradley Beal from their NBA rival Washington Wizards by identifying their next top trade target.
On Sunday it was reported that Beal was moving from the Wizards after nine years with the franchise, with the Phoenix Suns securing the services of the 29-year-old ahead of the new 2023-24 season . Beal was first drafted by the Washington-based franchise as a No. 3 pick back in 2012.
He has since spent the whole of his NBA career with the Wizards, but the Missouri-born shooting guard has since opted to waive his no-trade option exclusively for the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns and the Heat were the two sides heavily linked with Beal, but in the end Beal's no-trade clause gave him the freedom to choose where he landed, and he decided he'd only waive the clause for the Suns.
Whilst it was the Suns who missed out, they have already moved on in their bid to strengthen their team. According to TNT, the Miami franchise have now turned their attention to Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.
Similar to Beal, Lillard is a one-franchise man having spent the entirety of his NBA career with the Trail Blazers, again receiving his pick back in 2012. The 32-year-old has cemented himself as a legend of the Portland franchise, having become the face of the team in recent years.
The switch comes after Beal's time future with the Wizards had been up in the air for some time. His departure takes some much-needed weight of the franchise's roster as the Washington setup look to rebuild for 2023-24.
Detailing how the former got the deal of the line, Beal's agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN: "This was an extremely complicated process with so many different hurdles to get through, and Ted Leonsis and Michael Winger were unbelievable partners in making this happen.
"From the day that Ted drafted Brad he has been by our side along with [former general managers] Ernie Grunfeld and Tommy Sheppard. They've always had Brad's back in every way and now we have experienced the exact same thing with Ted and Michael Winger. We are extremely grateful."
