The Golden State Warriors are one of several teams linked to former Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, but current Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal looms large as a more appealing option.
Beal, who is entering Year 4 of a five-year, $251 million contract, is expected to hit unrestricted free agency in the next couple of days.
The Warriors would be able to take the same plan of action they had for Lillard, but with Beal.
“With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons,” PHNX Suns’ Gerald Bourguet reported on X on July 6.
Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds during the 2024-25 regular season. He had a 57.1% effective field goal mark and also connected on 38.6% of his looks from beyond the arc.
Beal also projects as a better fit on a team with multiple ball-handlers, like the Warriors, than Lillard, who is a point guard by trade.
Brad Beal a Better Fit for Warriors Than Damian Lillard

The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, Sam Amick, and Joe Vardon reported on the Warriors’ interest in Lillard. He is expected to miss much, if not all, of the 2025-26 season rehabbing from a torn Achilles.
“Not surprisingly, league sources say Lillard received calls from several contending teams quickly after the news of his Bucks’ ending broke,” the trio wrote on July 2. League sources say the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are known to be among the many teams that would have interest in doing a deal sooner rather than later. The question is whether he wants to sign with a team now and rehabilitate while under their care or wait until next summer to reassess the situation.”