At last month’s trade deadline, the Suns were unable to move Bradley Beal as part of a deal for Jimmy Butler. The main obstacles were Beal’s limited market and, more importantly, his no-trade clause, which he would have had to waive for any trade to go through.
Looking ahead to the offseason, the Suns will likely revisit Beal trade options if they aim to restructure the team around Devin Booker while staying under the second luxury tax apron. Beal appears more receptive to a summer move, as he told Tim MacMahon of ESPN, with one key condition—he wants to join a contender.
“It is a different deal in the summer,” Beal said. “Everything is kind of more laid out on the table. You got more options…
And my biggest thing is when I came here, I want to win. I’ve scored 30 points a game. I’ve been an All-Star. I’ve been All-NBA. I want to win. That’s always been my label—I haven’t won anything. So whatever that looks like for the team, whether that’s me coming up the bench, whether it’s me starting, whether it’s me, whatever it is, I’m going to do it… I enjoy the game, man. This game is fun. I try not to let nobody take the joy out of it for me… I’m still playing in the NBA, I still have the best job in the world, and I still have my no-trade clause. So I’m smiling every day.”
The trade market for Beal remains uncertain, and Phoenix may need to attach a draft pick to facilitate a deal due to the $110.8 million he is owed over the next two seasons. While Beal still holds value—averaging 17.7 points per game and shooting 39.3% from three this season—his role on a new team would likely not be as a primary offensive option, at least with the starting unit. His hefty contract also makes it challenging to find a trade partner.
Although Beal is not in a rush to relocate his family, he would consider a move to a team that offers both stability and a chance to win. With the NBA Draft in June and free agency in July, the likelihood of a Beal trade is higher than it was at the trade deadline.
Expect plenty of trade speculation surrounding Beal this summer—whether a deal materializes remains to be seen.
