Shooting Guard 'Trade Overtures' Dismissed, Heat Expected To Re-Engage

Miami Heat are seriously in the market for a guard this offseason, be it a shooting guard or a point guard. They landed Jimmy Butler via a sign-and-trade deal from the Philadelphia 76ers and are now looking at moves for Chris Paul or Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal.

Paul was traded to Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the deal that saw Russell Westbrook join Houston Rockets and Thunder are open to offloading the point guard’s three-year $124 million contract if they receive an acceptable trade offer. They were in discussions with Heat, but it has reached an impasse over the demands made by the Miami franchise.

The former Houston point guard is looking more likely to now start the season with Oklahoma after minimal interest shown by teams to take on his mammoth contract. Beal is the other player on Heat’s radar but according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Wizards have rejected all trade overtures for the shooting guard this offseason.

The senior NBA reporter believes the Heat could reengage with the Washington franchise if Beal rejects the $111 million extension he is eligible to sign after July 26. But the Wizards are said to be ready to keep the shooting guard in the squad until he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

“Next significant event for Heat could be re-engaging with Wizards if Beal rejects three year, 111 M extension he's eligible to sign after July 26. For now, Wizards have rejected all trade overtures on Beal, a potential 2021 free agent,” Jackson wrote.

Beal has been with the Wizards since he was drafted by the franchise as the third overall in the 2012 draft. He will not be short of suitors should he decide to reject the extension offer, which is expected to be made by the Wizards, and decide to join another franchise, where he can challenge for honors in the future.