'Desperate' Bucks Linked to Move for $251 Million 3-Time All-Star Amid Giannis Rumors

Miami Herald's Barry Jackson noted that the Bucks could be more "desperate" to land Beal than other interested teams like the Miami Heat. 

"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. 

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.