With just over 24 hours left before the NBA trade deadline, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal remained with the team. However, this did not come as a shock to General Manager James Jones. Despite multiple trade rumors linking Beal to potential moves, no deal ever materialized.
Speaking to reporters before Friday’s game, Jones shared an unexpected detail about why Beal was never traded.
“We didn’t have any discussions with Brad about the no-trade clause,” Jones stated.
His response was somewhat surprising, yet at the same time, not entirely unexpected. A no-trade clause is one of the most powerful contract provisions a player can hold. Even if the Suns were presented with an irresistible trade offer, Beal had the final say. Moreover, the star guard made it clear to the organization that he intended to stay.
Now that the trade deadline has passed, Beal remains a Sun. This outcome isn’t shocking, considering the challenges of moving a player with such a clause. Convincing him to waive it would have been difficult, especially since the team had already taken drastic measures, such as benching him right after the New Year.
That decision sent ripples through the organization, possibly hinting that the Suns were open to moving on from him. However, Beal’s massive $50+ million salary only complicated matters. In the end, their reported pursuit of Jimmy Butler never materialized.
When addressing the situation, Jones reiterated that there were no discussions regarding Beal’s trade status.
“We didn’t have any discussions with Brad about the no-trade clause,” he confirmed once again.
Beal, for his part, supported Jones’s statement, consistently asserting that the team never approached him about waiving his no-trade clause. Regardless of speculation, his commitment to Phoenix never wavered.
Rumors suggested that Beal’s decision to stay was heavily influenced by family considerations. With three years remaining on his contract—including a player option in the final year—he remains locked into his deal. Though the Suns’ “Big 3” experiment hasn’t fully delivered on expectations, Beal has handled the situation professionally.
When he was benched in favor of rookie Ryan Dunn, Beal took it in stride, offering support to his younger teammate. Locker room reports have been positive, with no indications of internal conflict. Beal himself has always emphasized that he does not want to be a distraction amid trade rumors. So far, he has been anything but.
Ultimately, there are only a select few teams that Beal might consider waiving his no-trade clause for. However, he pushed to be traded to Phoenix in the first place because he believed in their championship potential. Now, he remains determined to see that vision through.
Jones’s words remained consistent, and Beal’s commitment never wavered—even amid a chaotic and unpredictable trade deadline.
