The Boston Celtics are one of two potential landing spots for 33-year-old Bradley Beal, according to a report from Bleacher Report. Beal, a three-time All-Star, hasn’t played more than 53 games in a season since his 2021 All-NBA nod with Washington.

Beal’s Past Performance

Beal appeared in just six games last season for the Clippers and hasn’t positively impacted a team’s on-court performance since departing Washington after the 2022-23 season. The Celtics are well-stocked on the perimeter, with a stable of young wings headlined by Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. who need playing time to continue their development.

Beal curiously declined a $5.6 million player option to hit the free-agent market. With nearly $343 million in career earnings, he can prioritize finding the best situation. The Heat, having churned much of their young talent to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo, are better situated to roll the dice on an aging star than Boston is with its young depth.

Celtics’ Roster Considerations

Even at the veteran minimum, Beal’s presence would force the Celtics to make roster changes before the end of the season to ensure finishing below the luxury tax, something that would reset pesky repeater penalties and allow the team to spend more freely next summer. The Celtics will invariably be linked to Beal because of his relationship with fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum.

There is something to be said for teams prioritizing a superstar’s happiness. The Celtics made a bold decision to overhaul their core this season by trading away Jaylen Brown. Ultimately, that alone might not be enough to warrant a pursuit. If injuries were to deplete Boston’s veteran depth and Beal was still available, maybe it becomes more of a conversation.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.