The Bucks may strike another big move.
'Desperate' Bucks Linked to Move for $251 Million 3-Time All-Star Amid Giannis Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Milwaukee Bucks have not been afraid to take risks during the NBA offseason. Milwaukee surprisingly cut ties with Damian Lillard in order to create salary cap space to sign center Myles Turner.
Now, more moves could be on the way as the Bucks attempt to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy amid plenty of NBA rumors about his uncertain future. Milwaukee could be getting some help via the Phoenix Suns as a 3-time All-Star may suddenly become available.
Like Lillard, the Suns appear to be considering potentially releasing Bradley Beal. This would allow the veteran to sign with the team of his choosing.
Miami Herald's Barry Jackson noted that the Bucks could be more "desperate" to land Beal than other interested teams like the Miami Heat.
The Suns and Bradley Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, are working through terms of a buyout that will be agreed upon soon.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2025
Beal will quickly prioritize his top fits and make a decision on a new team.
The Beal trade will go down as the worst move in franchise history for Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/Pz7emFSywB
"Now that the cat is out of the bag, Beal was the player I was referencing last night when people started pleading for details I wasn't authorized to offer yet," Jackson noted in an X message on Sunday.
"He's still 'interesting' because he shot a very impressive 49.7 percent (38.6 on threes) while averaging 17 ppg. But Bucks, trying to appease Giannis, could very well be more desperate than other potential suitors like Miami."
Beal is on a five-year, $251 million contract that is slated to run through the 2026-27 season. There does not appear to be much of a trade market for Beal on this deal, and the Suns could opt for some cap relief by stretching the former All-Star.
At least five teams are expected to show free agent interest in Bradley Beal, once he officially becomes available later this week:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 6, 2025
Bucks
Clippers
Heat
Lakers
Nuggets
As a pure scorer at a significantly cheaper annual salary, Beal’s market among contenders will be robust. pic.twitter.com/mkpZ5m1ZsJ
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer also linked the Bucks to a potential move for Beal if the veteran suddenly becomes a free agent.
"It is often written that a buyout for Beal could land in the $90 million range," The Stein Line detailed on Thursday. "How precise that media forecast proves remains to be seen, but there is no ambiguity here: The Heat will have interest in signing Beal if he can make it to unrestricted free agency.
"Sources say both Milwaukee and Miami, in fact, would have interest in signing Beal in that scenario."
Antetokounmpo is under contract with the Bucks through the 2027-28 season. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo is watching how Milwaukee's offseason unfolds before making a decision on his immediate future.
Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Decision With Bucks Gets an Update: Insider
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
