Bradley Beal is disappointed with the way things turned out for the Suns and understands that a lot of the blame is directed toward him, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Beal’s contract, which pays him $53.6MM next season with a $57.1MM player option for 2026/27, would be difficult to unload even if it didn’t include a no-trade clause. Phoenix would like to get rid of that financial burden to move under the second apron, but the front office couldn’t find a taker when it tried to move him before the deadline in hopes of landing Jimmy Butler.
Beal indicated at the time that he would veto a trade unless he was happy with the destination, which raised the ire of Suns fans. He also dealt with injuries that limited him to 53 games and lost his starting job for a while, saying he relied on faith to help get him through a difficult time. Despite the setbacks, he told reporters on Friday that he would be happy staying in Phoenix next season.
“I believe in what we got in there,” Beal said after the Suns snapped an eight-game losing streak. “Things happen. We didn’t have a good year. We couldn’t put it together like we wanted, but nobody hates the other man. Nobody dislikes anybody else. I love Phoenix. I love being here. Hopefully I can continue to be here, but I know (owner Mat Ishbia) is probably going to make some changes, but I enjoyed this group.”
There’s more from Phoenix:
- Ryan Dunn turned in the best game of his rookie season Friday night, scoring a career-high 26 points and matching a career best with 11 rebounds, Rankin adds. He had 11 three-point attempts and has grown more confident in that part of his game as the season has worn on. “Just trusting my shot, just trusting my work, being aggressive on the offensive glass,” he said. “Got some tip-ins, got to the free-throw line.”
- Among the complaints Suns fans have with coach Mike Budenholzer is his refusal to give regular minutes to Bol Bol, Rankin notes in the same piece. In the final home game of the season, the crowd cheered as Bol walked to the scorer’s table with 5:20 left in the fourth quarter, but Budenholzer changed his mind after San Antonio called a time out and Bol never entered the game. “I think they cut (the lead) to 22 or 20 or 18 or something like that and just stuck with Royce (O’Neale),” Budenholzer explained. “Kind of the veteran. Just make sure it didn’t get any closer. Royce had been out there and playing. Just loved his presence. Loves what he brings on both ends of the court in that situation.”
- Devin Booker thanked Phoenix fans for remaining loyal through a rough season and offered a message of hope after Friday’s game, per Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link). “Things will get better,” he said. “It took a true fan to be in there tonight and still support us through what type of season we had. So it was a pleasure to see, still smiles on faces and people cheering and happy to still watch us play.”
Don’t blame Bradlee beal for his no trade clause. Blame the dumb front office that agreed to take it on. Real fans would know that…
That is right, fans need to blame the owner and GM who traded for the worst contract (or close to it) in the NBA. No reason to dump on Brad.
any chance the wizards are actually good enough to use any of the four pick swaps they got for Beal ?
Why would Beal want to stay in Phoenix if not wanted. The team sucks. He sucked this year. Its not like teams want to trade for him. I’m 100% SURE the team he would agree to go to. doesn’t Want You LOL ……. He should drop his no trade clause. Or accept a buyout for it (TC). And just move on. Why stay where you are not wanted. Maybe Dallas can get him cheap. Trade Kyrie for him. Kyrie isn’t playing next year anyway. Plus get a pick from Suns. I do it …….. Dallas is clamoring for good news. Go there and lead team in scoring. Nico ….. imI got you
Maybe he likes the weather and his family is happy there. I am sure Beal would gladly take a buyout, but he isn’t going to give up a dime, nor should he.
Take that player option Beal. Get your money. You’ve certainly made that much and more for owners. Not your fault Suns GM sucks.
No doubt he will.
Beal although really overpaid really ain’t that bad. This past season he put up something like 19-4-3 and shot pretty efficiently something like 48-39-80. That’s playing as the third option behind two very ball dominant guys who don’t really create in the sense that a traditional point guard would. Although it’s hard to see a team trading for him I still think he’s got a lot to give.