The Heat and veteran guard Bradley Beal have mutual interest after the two-time All-Star opted out of his $5.62MM player option to become an unrestricted free agent, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
However, Siegel suggests Miami’s interest in Beal may be contingent on the 33-year-old’s willingness to accept a minimum-salary contract. As Siegel explains, the Heat are pursuing several other targets in free agency and have a limited amount of financial flexibility to fill out their roster.
On a related note, Siegel’s sources say the Heat have been exploring trades involving Nikola Jovic to free up more money in free agency. The 23-year-old is entering the first season of a four-year, $62.4MM contract that likely has negative trade value after the Serbian forward struggled for much of 2025/26.
Here’s more from Siegel’s most recent story:
- While the Nuggets have been linked to Jaylen Brown, the Celtics haven’t pursued a trade involving Jamal Murray and Cameron Johnson, per Siegel. Multiple sources who spoke to ClutchPoints have downplayed the possibility of Murray being dealt this offseason.
- Jrue Holiday is expected to draw trade interest after the Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant from Memphis, according to Siegel, who’s heard talk of the veteran guard being available even before the surprising move. The six-time All-Defensive member, who turned 36 earlier this month, is owed $72MM over the next two years, including a $37.2MM player option for ’27/28.
- The Nets don’t have any “immediate plans” to flip Julius Randle to another team after agreeing to acquire him from Minnesota, sources tell Siegel. No. 6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. said he’s talked to Randle about improving the team’s standing around the league, tweets Erik Slater of ClutchPoints. “I was talking to Julius Randle about it the other day and he told me, ‘We’re gonna shock the world.’ That’s what we plan on doing,” Brown said of the Nets.
- There appears to be a robust market for Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, who may receive the full mid-level exception (projected to be worth $64.7MM over four years) in free agency, Siegel reports. According to Siegel, the Pistons, Spurs, Lakers, Nets and Sixers are among the teams with interest in the former undrafted free agent. Siegel points to Philadelphia as perhaps the most prominent suitor for Wade.
