Miami Heat linked to three-time All-Star guard to complete roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo

Miami Heat might be interested in adding one of the best remaining free agents on the market to build their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Heat gave up a lot of assets to acquire Antetokounmpo, sending four rotational players and multiple draft picks to land the superstar player this franchise has missed since Jimmy Butler’s exit.

Antetokounmpo has already proven he can lead a team to a title, provided he has the right players around him. As a result, the Heat are trying to add proven quality next to Antetokounmpo.

Miami Heat interested in Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal spent most of last season out after hip surgery with the LA Clippers. He’s healthy and unsigned at the moment, with Marc Stein reporting the Heat are interested in taking him away from LA.

“A return to the Clippers, league sources say, has not been ruled out for Bradley Beal, who has also drawn interest from Miami.”

Beal averaged 8.2 points in the six games he played last season. He has averaged 21.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in his career, ranking as one of the best scorers in the league during his prime.

The 33-year-old might not be able to average 30 points as the focal point of an offense anymore, but he would be a great addition to the Heat, who already need to add perimeter scorers to their roster.

If Beal joins, he and summer signing Tim Hardaway Jr. could replicate the production the franchise lost with Norman Powell’s exit this summer.

Heat are a better fit for Bradley Beal than the Clippers

The Heat could offer Beal a bigger role than what the Clippers might have in mind.

If the Kawhi Leonard trade goes through, Beal would see his touches greatly reduced with the addition of scorers like Brandon Ingram and Gradey D. Restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin might return to the Clippers and further diminish Beal’s role.

The Heat don’t have nearly as much competition for perimeter scorers, relying on the defensive-minded Davion Mitchell at point with off-ball scorers like Pelle Larsson and Hardaway Jr. as the biggest rotational threats.

Beal would be the perfect combo guard to add balance to their front-court heavy roster, which will feature Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis Jr. prominently.

The Clippers might give Beal more on-ball opportunities, but the Heat will allow him to play a combo role and contribute to a winning franchise, as the Heat are title contenders and the Clippers are in the middle of a rebuild.

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