Bradley Beal is expected to have his contract bought out by the Phoenix Suns and enter free agency. According to sources, Beal is considering four teams: the Golden State Warriors, both Los Angeles teams, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

If these are the only four teams on his radar, where should the 3-time All-Star go?

4 — Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have a lot of drama right now surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his morale regarding the team’s direction. After the team waived Damian Lillard with only two years of service in Milwaukee, the Bucks tried making up for it to sign Myles Turner from the Eastern Conference champions, Indiana Pacers.

The Bucks would have stopped banking on an aging Lillard, only to pair an aging Bradley Beal with Giannis, if the Greek Freak opts to stay.

For the Bucks, they need someone else alongside Giannis after the team got rid of Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard. Myles Turner is not a #2 option, but Beal might not be one anymore either.

For Beal, with the uncertainty surrounding Giannis and the Bucks’ ability to compete in a weaker East, I would hold off and keep the Bucks as my last resort, as long as it’s limited to this list. I wouldn’t be surprised if another team emerges ahead of the Bucks.

3 — Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are quite interesting. They are a team that relies heavily on James Harden and Kawhi Leonard to be available. The team lost Norman Powell in a trade with the Miami Heat, so they might need a suitable replacement for Powell’s 20+ PPG.

Bradley Beal averaged 17 PPG as the third scoring option in Phoenix last year on 49.7% shooting. But this is alarming because these statistics were for 53 games played and 38 starts. Harden, to his credit, played 79 games, but Leonard only played in 37.

The biggest question is how Beal would fit in with James Harden. Beal wouldn’t have to be the #2 scoring option like he would need to be for Milwaukee, but does his playing style complement Harden’s well?

There is a need at shooting guard for the Clippers, but I don’t believe their solution is Bradley Beal, even if The Athletic is reporting the Clippers as the frontrunners for Beal’s services.

2 — Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are always going to be linked to bigger-name free agents, no matter what. I’m sure every basketball player envisions playing for the biggest basketball brand in the world. That’s the Los Angeles Lakers.

There are rumors LeBron James isn’t happy with the roster construction right now and he’s opted into his 23rd NBA season. The team is trying to convince Luka Doncic to sign long-term and want to build around Doncic. Outside of these two, it’s very hit or miss for the Lakers.

The Lakers acquired DeAndre Ayton, but the real progress will be in the development of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes. If nothing else, using these pieces to get help for LeBron and Luka.

A move to get Beal, if bought out, shows LeBron and Luka they are willing to add help to the team. The pressure is off Beal as a third scoring option, and LeBron’s more apt to help Beal get involved in the offense, a trait that neither Milwaukee nor the Lakers’ Los Angeles counterpart can offer. This move also allows the young players to develop, without moving off of them entirely to build a contender.

1 — Golden State Warriors

The fit in Golden State makes the most sense. The Warriors went out of their way to acquire Jimmy Butler at last year’s deadline, and while there is uncertainty regarding the future of Jonathan Kuminga plays next season, the Warriors have Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Buddy Hield in a team willing to compete now.

The Warriors could use a motivated, aging player who can complement Curry and Butler well. Ever since Klay Thompson’s departure, it felt like this Golden State team has been missing something. Butler’s trade and sudden attitude adjustment helped, but Buddy Hield couldn’t replace Thompson with 11.1 PPG in 22 starts last year. Despite this hole, the Warriors made a push after the deadline and lost in the semifinals to the Minnesota Timberwolves after ousting the 2-seed Houston Rockets in the first round. Had Curry been healthy, could this team have competed against Anthony Edwards and Minnesota?

If the Warriors sign Beal, they insert him into a starting lineup with Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. If they decide to move one to the bench, they have an instant 6th Man of the Year candidate going into next season. And with Curry and Butler both due 59 and 54 million, respectively, they need a veteran on a buyout option to get them help.

Beal is two years removed from his career-high 43% three-point shooting percentage and is 37.6% from beyond the arc during his 13 years playing in the NBA. He’s going to be the best complement to Curry and Butler where the pressure won’t be solely on their backs, while opening up opportunities for Hield and Brandin Podziemski to be effective scorers.

Where do you see Beal playing in the 2025-26 season? Is it one of these teams, or is there a dark horse we should keep our eye on? Let us know in the comment section below.