The Miami Heat had engaged in serious discussions with the Phoenix Suns about acquiring shooting guard Bradley Beal before the trade talks “ultimately collapsed,” per a recent report by NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

Beal, 32, is coming off a season in which he averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3,7 assists per game across 53 appearances, 38 of which were starts.

The 3x All-Star, who signed a lucrative five-year, $251 million deal with the Washington Wizards back in 2021, is owed $53.7 million in 2025-26 and his contract also includes a $57.1 million player option for 2026-2027, per Spotrac.

The Stein Line reported that the Suns buying out the remainder of Beal’s contract is a good possibility, signaling a blockbuster move to come this Free Agency.

If the Suns end up buying out Beal’s contract, the Heat have been a team linked to the former Florida Gator standout.

The Heat, who just acquired Italian sharpshooting gem Simone Fontecchio in a sign-and-trade acquisition that shipped away Duncan Robinson, can undoubtedly right the ship by landing one of the game’s most decorated scorers in Beal.

Pat Riley, who Bill Simmons Praised for his recent moves, is a president notorious for taking big swings that bring premier talent to South Beach.

With Beal’s contract looking likely to be bought out, perhaps this is Riley’s chance to make a massive splash this offseason that silences the critics.

For a Heat team looking to become Eastern Conference after getting dealing away Jimmy Butler and getting swept in the first-round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, obtaining star power will be the key to turning the franchise around.

As the discussions between Beal and the Suns unfold, all eyes will be on Riley and the Heat to see if they can pounce on the opportunity to acquire such a talent once he becomes available.