The Phoenix Suns boldly benched Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic ahead of tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The move worked out well, as the Suns ended a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 win over the 76ers. Ironically, Beal starred in his bench role and was a crucial factor behind the win tonight.
Some are speculating that Beal was benched to send a message that he shouldn’t veto a trade with his no-trade clause. The Suns guard directly addressed that by reminding the Suns that he has all the power in potential trade talks.
“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards. Until I’m addressed and somebody says something different, then I’ll be a Sun.”
"If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards. Until I'm addressed and somebody says something different, then I'll be a Sun."
Bradley Beal on if coming off bench is related to bigger picture as far as NBA trade talks.
Has no-trade clause in his contract. #Suns pic.twitter.com/f54au9MWFS
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 7, 2025
Beal also revealed he was extremely surprised by the decision to bench him and that he did his best to quickly move past it and be effective for the franchise.
“A little difficult… Coach made a decision. I’ll live with it. I’m not going to sit there and argue with him. I’m not going to sit here and be a distraction. I’m not going to sit here and be an a**hole.”
"A little difficult."
Bradley Beal was surprised by benching, said he wasn't given an indication about it.
"Coach made a decision. I'm not going to sit there and argue with him. I'm not going to sit here and be a distraction. I'm not going to sit here and be an asshole." #Suns pic.twitter.com/wBBTNTDWEG
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 7, 2025
Beal led all scorers for the Suns with 25 points (10-15 FG) off the bench in just 29 minutes. He seemed to thrive in Phoenix’s bench units as the head of the snake. This adjustment might lead to tactical success for the Suns. Playing Beal alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant makes his skill set redundant, so it’s better to have him off the bench from a stylistic point of view.
What we know is that his benching isn’t purely about Xs-and-Os, with even Beal aware that this could be a move to force him into a trade. But regardless of what the Suns do, Beal has a contract until 2027 and if he doesn’t want to be moved, the Suns can’t do much about it.
Beal is making $50.2 million this year, which will increase to $53.6 in 2026 before a $57.1 million player option for 2027. Beal could realistically spend all three years on the Suns with the franchise unable to get salary relief due to his no-trade clause. He’s averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season.
After a point, Beal might want to go to a better situation, but not many teams will be jumping up to take his contract.
Beal has a preliminary list of potential trade destinations he’d waive his NTC. Those options are wholly unrealistic, as the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat don’t seem like likely destinations for the guard until he’s off his current contract.
Maximizing Beal’s production off the bench, like they did tonight, might be the best way forward for the Suns. Unless they find a team that Beal wants and who wants Beal, the avenues for a potential Jimmy Butler trade remain closed for the Suns.
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