The Suns are reportedly looking to move Bradley Beal next after shipping Kevin Durant to Houston in a blockbuster deal that landed them Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in this year’s draft, and five second-round picks.
But trading Beal won’t be easy.
According to Doug Haller, Sam Amick, and Kelly Iko of The Athletic, Phoenix isn’t done reshaping their roster. “The Suns are expected to try and part ways with Beal, but his salary (he is owed nearly $111 million over the next two seasons) and contract (he has a no-trade clause) will make that difficult.”
That no-trade clause is a massive hurdle. Beal must personally approve any deal, just as he did when Washington shipped him to Phoenix last June.
The Suns seem desperate to move on.
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro recently dropped a bombshell about the team’s feelings toward Beal. “They do NOT want him back,” he posted on X. “But he is untradable and if he does not agree to a buyout they may be stuck with him.”
How bad is it? Gambadoro added that during coaching interviews, the Suns were literally asking candidates what they’d do with Beal. “They 100% don’t want him and are looking at how to get out.”
Beal’s Value Has Cratered
It’s not just the contract and no-trade clause making things tough. Beal’s performance has fallen off a cliff in Phoenix.
The 31-year-old (he turns 32 on June 28) was once one of the NBA’s most lethal scorers, averaging over 30 points per game in back-to-back seasons with Washington.
In Phoenix? He’s barely cracked 17 points per game.
He’s also missed 58 games over two seasons, making that massive contract look even worse.
Getting Beal’s contract off the books is crucial for a franchise trying to reset after a disastrous season.
Despite starting with the highest payroll in NBA history, the Suns finished 10 games under .500 and missed the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Owner Mat Ishbia has spent a staggering $860 million since taking over in 2023, with just two playoff wins to show for it.
At least Phoenix has new leadership in place. They’ve hired Brian Gregory as general manager and Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as head coach, giving them a fresh start heading into next season.
But first, they need to figure out what to do with Bradley Beal.
