The Phoenix Suns not only failed to meet their high goals but they might be stuck where they are. That’s because Bradley Beal‘s contract is long and will only get more expensive.
A Western Conference official told FOX Sports’ Ric Bucher that while he understands the reason for the Beal trade, he explained why they need to trade him.
“Making the decision to acquire him had some justification,” he told Bucher in a May 4 story. But Beal is toxic debt now. You have to move on before Book and KD demand trades, and you lose leverage in the marketplace.”
In his first year with the Suns, Beal finished the second year of a five-year, $251 million contract. Beal originally agreed to that contract with the Washington Wizards before they traded him to the Suns.
Beal’s contract will only get bigger with each passing year. He has a player option for $57.1 million for the 2026-27 season. While he could opt out, it’s likely Beal would exercise knowing how much money he would make.
While trading him makes sense after how the Suns’ season turned out, Beal’s no-trade clause makes it even more difficult. He gets to decide where he wants to go.
Bradley Beal Praises Frank Vogel
After Beal fouled out of the Suns’ final game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he did something a little suspect as he jogged off the floor. Beal rejected Frank Vogel’s high five, which signaled frustration, but was rather cold of him to do.
However, in his exit interview, Beal showered praise on the Suns coach.
“I think Frank’s a good coach, I think Frank’s a great coach,” Beal told reporters during his exit interview on Monday, April 29. “I think he’s a proven, obviously, winner. That’s not really a question I like answering. I’m not responsible for coaches having jobs. Awesome guy and he’s a great coach. What that looks like (moving forward), it’s not up to me.”
Furthermore, he explained that what happened with Vogel had nothing to do with him.
“I was just frustrated with fouls and I knew I was coming out, it wasn’t nothing against coach,” Beal told reporters. “Damn, I’m sorry, that probably did look bad. … It wasn’t nothing towards coach. There’s nothing there.”
Bradley Beal confirmed what I said last night about this moment with Frank Vogel: “I was just frustrated with fouls and I knew I was coming out, it wasn’t nothing against coach. Damn, I’m sorry, that probably did look bad….it wasn’t nothing towards coach. There’s nothing there.” https://t.co/Xmsy4ErVPn pic.twitter.com/ftqfkmg9RY
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) April 29, 2024
The Suns may fire Vogel this coming offseason. If they do, Beal has signaled that he enjoyed playing for him.
Writer Believes Bradley Beal is Suns’ ‘Biggest Regret’
Before the Suns’ elimination, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes explained why he believes trading for Beal should be seen as the Suns’ biggest regret.
“Anyone who thought adding a third score-first player (at the cost of roster depth and balance) to a team that already had two elite bucket-getters did a lot of self-satisfied nodding as Phoenix posted the NBA’s worst fourth-quarter plus/minus while playing some truly uninspiring “your turn, my turn” offense,” Hughes wrote in an April 16 story.
Hughes added that the upcoming consequences of acquiring Beal could be scary for Phoenix long-term.
“Phoenix is bereft of draft capital after giving up four first-round swaps and six second-rounders to get Beal, and it’s still on the hook for the remaining three years and $161 million on his contract after this season. The second apron and all its roster-building hindrances looms this summer.
The Suns might attempt to exchange Beal, but it might not make a difference.
