The common line of thinking is that the Phoenix Suns don’t really want to trade Kevin Durant, a four-time scoring champion. They definitely don’t want to part ways with Devin Booker, whom they drafted 13th overall in 2015. Like any player, they have their flaws. Still, both Durant and Booker are among the most elite offensive players in the NBA thanks to their soft shooting touch.
If only they could trade Bradley Beal, himself a three-time All-Star.
Suns’ Bradley Beal Willing To Consider Offseason Trade
Acquired by the Suns in a 2023 offseason trade, Beal has actually played relatively well in Phoenix. The problem is that the former Washington Wizards cornerstone’s fit in their constellation of stars has been clumsy. Even worse is that when the Suns finally decided enough was enough, Beal didn’t want to waive his no-trade clause. He didn’t want to uproot his family after the dust finally settled from their D.C. move.
This summer, they may be able to get up from under Beal’s thumb though. In an interview with ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Beal says: “It is a different deal in the summer.”
“Everything is kind of more laid out on the table. You got more options.”
For a player who felt “disrespected at times by the Suns this season,” exploring other options certainly sounds ideal. That doesn’t mean that a deal headlined by or featuring Beal will get done. Nonetheless, it’s now far more feasible than it sounded in February.
Ripple Effects
Maybe they thought they wouldn’t need to ask Beal to waive his no-trade clause.
Nevertheless, this issue has been a thorn in their side. Obviously, there’s no guarantee that they would have been able to move the 31-year-old at the trade deadline even if he had. Still, because he was so disinclined to be traded, the Suns were forced to explore other options in their efforts to reconfigure their Big 3.
More to the point, Phoenix started listening to offers for Durant at a time in which they were hoping to include Beal in a deal for Jimmy Butler.
This created an awkward situation. Durant was blindsided by the trade talks. Beal knew that the Suns wanted to move him.
Had Durant been willing to reunite with the Golden State Warriors, maybe Butler would be in Arizona right now. However, once the 15-time All-Star shut that scenario down –possible primarily because he’ll be on the final year of his contract in 2025-26 –Phoenix decided to just play out the season with their current Big 3. Since then, their disappointing 2024-25 campaign has only gotten worse, with the Suns now 6-11 since the deadline
Potential Destinations
As Phoenix looks to trade Beal, his gigantic contract will be the focal point. Ahead of the trade deadline, it was clear that his price made teams look at him like he had eight legs and 100 eyes. Yet, there were a couple of franchises that were willing to trade for him: the Wizards and Atlanta Hawks.
Beal didn’t want to play for either of those teams last month. However, they could look like more attractive destinations in the offseason.
Washington has added veterans like Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart to their core. They’re also in prime position to draft a premier prospect this summer. Sure, they might not win a championship by the time Beal retires. Still, the fact is that a ring isn’t in the cards for every player, no matter what they want. If he accepts that, playing out the rest of his contract with the Wizards doesn’t sound so bad.
Atlanta is led by All-Star point guard Trae Young, one of the NBA’s most gifted offensive engines. This season, they also have a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Dyson Daniels. They even have a Rookie of the Year candidate in Zaccharie Risacher. Before his season-ending injury, Jalen Johnson was a Most Improved Player candidate. Adding Beal could definitely take them to the next level.
If not the Wizards or the Hawks, the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics make sense.
The Magic desperately need to upgrade their backcourt, which features too many inconsistent or anemic scorers. The Celtics are seemingly dealing with Jrue Holiday‘s decline. Considering how much Beal values winning and his connection to fellow St. Louis native Jayson Tatum, Boston might be a particularly intriguing option.
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