Overview

• The Suns and Bradley Beal are finalizing terms for a waive-and-stretch deal that would spread his remaining $96.9 million over five years.
• Beal is expected to forfeit about $13.9 million of his remaining salary to secure his unrestricted free-agent status.
• The Miami Heat have emerged as the early frontrunner to sign Beal once he clears waivers.
• The Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Bucks and Timberwolves are all positioning themselves to pursue Beal’s scoring and playmaking.
• Phoenix’s reliance on waive-and-stretch mechanics highlights how teams are using cap management to reshape their rosters.