For well over a month leading up to the trade deadline, there was speculation the Phoenix Suns would approach Bradley Beal to approve a trade. Beal’s approval was needed because he holds one of the NBA’s only two negotiated no-trade clauses (LeBron James holds the other).
However, James Jones said that Suns never had a conversation with Beal about approving a trade
“We didn’t have any discussions with Brad about the no-trade clause,” Jones said. “That’s one thing I can say for sure because that’s been a big topic of discussion.”
Jimmy Butler had hoped for a trade to Phoenix ahead of the deadline. That would have involved Beal approving a trade to a third team. No deal was ever close enough to have that conversation, according to Jones. Butler was eventually traded to the Golden State Warriors.