Knicks and Heat linked to $11 million former All-NBA guard, effective 3-point shooter

We are over a week into 2026 NBA free agency, and Bradley Beal has yet to find a new home.

Beal missed most of the 2025 season due to a hip injury. In 6 games with the Los Angeles Clippers, the veteran guard averaged 8.2 points per game on inefficient shooting numbers.

Though Beal is coming off an injury and didn't look great on the court the last time we saw him, the 33-year-old should still have some suitors in free agency, including two Eastern Conference contenders.

Knicks and Heat linked to Bradley Beal

Pro Football Network's Cooper Kleinberg listed Beal as one of the top remaining free agents, with the New York Knicks and Miami Heat mentioned as possible landing spots.

"Signing with a contending team on a minimum deal makes the most sense at this stage of his [Beal's] career," Kleinberg wrote.

Beal hasn't played at an All-Star level in over five years, but when healthy, he is still a knockdown three-point shooter with loads of playoff experience.

During his final year with the Phoenix Suns in 2024, Beal shot 38.6% from three on five attempts per game, and the year before that, the three-time All-Star posted a three-point percentage of 43%.

The Knicks don't have many holes on their roster, but the defending champions could use another floor-stretcher in the backcourt. Beal would fit well in Mike Brown's guard rotation and play a valuable veteran role off the bench.

However, New York also doesn't need Beal, especially after the team gave contract extensions to two bench guards, Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado. It's safe to assume the Knicks won't make many more significant moves this summer.

Miami would make a lot of sense for Beal. The Heat have already shown some interest in the former Washington Wizard, and Beal would fill Miami's most pressing need, perimeter shooting, around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Beal would also likely come to the Heat on the minimum, and with that in mind, this feels like a no-brainer signing for Pat Riley.

Overall, Miami is clearly the top landing spot for Beal. New York would be fun, but unlikely at this stage of the offseason.