Soon after the Miami Heat signed Hassan Whiteside, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called for them to acquire Washington Wizards superstar Bradley Beal. Because of his large contract and high-profile status as a free agent this summer, he should be able to come at an affordable price for Miami.
The “nba bradley beal” is a basketball player for the Washington Wizards. He is 6’4” and plays point guard. His contract expires at the end of this season, so he could potentially be traded to another team.
The Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal (left) and the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler during a game on Feb. 5, 2021. | Getty Images/Michael Reaves
The Miami Heat were just a couple points away from reaching the NBA Finals. They pushed the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics to seven games, but lost the series 4-3. So, what do they need to accomplish this year to get over the hump and return to the Finals?
Although having health on their side would be beneficial, the Heat could still need another high-quality player or two. But who is it, exactly?
This winter, several names will certainly surface in trade speculations, but ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes Miami should acquire one particular superstar: Bradley Beal.
Bradley Beal should be added to the Heat, according to Stephen A. Smith.
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
Following the Heat’s defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Stephen A. Smith came on First Take and talked about a player he’d want to see the club sign this summer.
The only name he mentioned was Bradley Beal.
On the May 30 broadcast, Smith noted, “Bradley Beal’s number one issue is that he’s constantly hurt.” “Now, he injures himself, but you know what else it has to do with?” … Culture. That isn’t to suggest you won’t get injured. When you’re in the appropriate culture, though, you can maximize and prioritize as needed. It’s a lot simpler to be out for the length of time he’s been out in a location like D.C. that hasn’t built a culture.”
In 2021-22, Beal appeared in 40 games for the Washington Wizards before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery in February.
Smith continued, “Bradley Beal would be great because he can ball.”
Aside from his injuries, how might Beal fit in with the Heat? And, more importantly, would they be able to pull it off?
Is Bradley Beal a good fit for the Miami Heat?
*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden} html,bodyheight:100% img,spanposition:absolute;width:100% ;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyheight:100% html,bodyhe spanheight:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;text-shadow
The Heat, according to CBS Sports, might be a possible contender for Bradley Beal this summer, according to a report from March. Beal’s deal has just one year remaining on it, with a player option for 2022-23. Given Miami’s salary cap position, the 28-year-old would almost certainly have to be acquired via a trade rather than signing him in free agency.
According to CBS Sports, the Heat would almost certainly have to deal Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro, a young player like Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson, who has four years remaining on his five-year $90 million contract.
However, how would Beal fit into the Heat’s lineup?
The Florida product would take over as the starting shooting guard, instantly making Miami’s starting five one of the most dangerous in the league. This season, Beal has struggled, averaging 23.2 points on 45.1 percent shooting. However, in 2020-21, he averaged 31.3 points a night and hit 48.5 percent of his shots. In addition, he made 34.9 percent of his three-point attempts. Beal averaged 30.5 points per game in 2019-20.
The No. 3 overall selection in 2012 has developed into a powerful scorer who would almost certainly be Miami’s go-to guy. He’d relieve Jimmy Butler of the burden of needing to score 47 points in game-winning scenarios. In Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo, they’d create one of the league’s most dangerous backcourt duos, and they’d have other excellent weapons surrounding them.
Beal wouldn’t necessarily enhance Miami’s defense, which is where the club prides itself. Herro, on the other hand, isn’t very strong on that end of the court. Beal’s offensive prowess would more than compensate.
The Miami Heat’s offseason will be fascinating this year. If they can lure Bradley Beal to South Beach, they will be the Eastern Conference favorites right away. At that point, it would be championship or bust for Jimmy Butler and company, which is exactly how Pat Riley loves it.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
RELATED: The Miami Heat’s Three NBA Championships in Order
Related Tags
- bradley beal age
- wizards washington
- washington wizards roster
