Bradley Beal recently shared that he was expecting to join either the Miami Heat or the Milwaukee Bucks before his unexpected trade to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.
During an appearance on the ‘Run Your Race’ podcast, Beal revealed that the Suns weren’t even on his radar at the time. He had anticipated a trade to the Heat or Bucks, but Miami ultimately opted out, and Milwaukee was considering trading Khris Middleton to acquire him.
Beal explained that he had concerns about the Bucks’ potential trade of Middleton, especially since Middleton had a player option and might not have agreed to a trade to Washington. Instead of Middleton, the Bucks later traded Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, which shocked the NBA.
Beal’s hefty contract, which includes a no-trade clause, may have deterred Miami, who was more focused on acquiring Lillard. Meanwhile, the Bucks’ trade involving Holiday opened the door for the Celtics to land Holiday, adding to the reshuffling of key players in the league.
Reflecting on the possibility of a Beal trade to Milwaukee, it’s speculated that a backcourt of Holiday and Beal could have been a solid pairing, combining Beal’s offensive prowess with Holiday’s defense.
However, trading Middleton, who shares a close bond with Giannis Antetokounmpo, would have been emotionally difficult for the team. Middleton’s injuries last season may have made the trade a viable option for the Bucks, but ultimately, Milwaukee’s decision to pursue Lillard changed the landscape.
Beal, despite injury challenges, averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds last season. It’s uncertain whether a Bucks lineup featuring Beal and Holiday would have been more successful than the current Lillard-Middleton duo, but the move certainly would have reshaped both the Bucks and the NBA in a different way.
