Suns Never Had Trade Competition for Bradley Beal
Though not finalized just yet, the Phoenix Suns are acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Landry Shamet, Chris Paul, second-round picks and future pick swaps as well according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
It was a move the Suns needed to make for a handful of reasons: Paul was obviously on the decline and ate too much in salary for Phoenix to justify him on the roster. New owner Mat Ishbia has made splashes since his arrival in early February, and that was again continued with the acquisition of Beal.
The Suns needed another scorer behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and they got precisely that. It was an opportunity Phoenix couldn't pass up.
It also helps that Beal - who had a no-trade clause - forced his way out of Washington and ultimately gave the Suns the upper-hand in negotiations.
The Suns were reportedly vying for Beal alongside the Miami Heat - but was Miami ever a serious contender for Beal?
Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro says no.
“I believe that Miami was not that interested in Bradley Beal," said Gambadoro. "If Miami was really involved in this and Beal was interested in going there, there’s no way Miami couldn’t have put a better offer on the table than Phoenix. I’m going to stick with what I’ve been told, and that’s Miami wasn’t that interested in Beal.”
The Heat were thought to have had plenty more to offer in a trade with the Wizards, considering the caliber of youthful players and draft picks when compared to Phoenix.
Yet according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, the Heat have their sights set on another major player: Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
"Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery," said Haynes in a tweet.
If Beal only wanted Phoenix - and Miami never made an effort for the shooting guard - the Suns had nobody else to negotiate against.
