It all went horribly wrong for the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Suns were swept out of the playoffs and during their Game 4 loss, Bradley Beal disrespected head coach Frank Vogel by slapping away his hand as he tried to dap him up.
Bradley Beal looked to brush Frank Vogel's hand away while heading to the bench 👀pic.twitter.com/EpFJomRKu9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 29, 2024
It would be one thing if a frustrated Beal just didn’t bother dapping up anyone else either, as he came out of the game. He chose to only slap away Vogel’s hand, though, which has raised plenty of eyebrows. Beal was also seen yelling at his head coach in Game 2 of this series, and all certainly doesn’t seem well between them.
As for Beal’s performance in this game, he did not play well. The three-time All-Star finished with 9 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 block while going 4-13 from the field as the Suns lost 122-116. It was just a miserable night in all for Beal and in some ways, it was a fitting end to what was an underwhelming first season with the Suns.
The Timberwolves Trolled Bradley Beal
What made this showing from Beal all the more embarrassing is what he said after Game 3. The 30-year-old had never been swept out of the playoffs and said, “I’ll be damned if that happens.” Well, it did happen, and the Timberwolves trolled Beal on X.
“first time for everything.”
first time for everything. https://t.co/PmyKrrLDix
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2024
If Beal had played better, that record of never being swept might have still been intact. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant combined for 82 points, but Beal and the rest of the team just didn’t show up.
This was an embarrassing playoff exit for the Suns and you can certainly expect some changes in the offseason. I don’t expect Beal to go anywhere, though, as he is owed just over $160 million over the next three seasons.
It was reported that the Washington Wizards were relieved that they traded Beal last year. Finding a team to acquire him with that massive contract was always going to be difficult and it will be even harder for the Suns with the season he just had.
Beal averaged just 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for Phoenix in 2023-24. He also managed to play in just 53 games due to injuries, and the Suns would have to give up assets for another team to agree to trade for him.
Frank Vogel Might Get Fired
While I expect Beal to stay, Vogel looks to be on the way out. Prior to the Game 4 loss, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported on NBA Countdown that Vogel might get fired.
“It’s increasing belief around the league that Frank Vogel’s job is in peril,” Wojnarowski said. “… Losing in six last year to Denver in the second round cost Monty Williams his job. You’ve seen Mat Ishbia, the owner, he has made rapid change in his short tenure as owner. Frank Vogel’s job very much may be in jeopardy now.”
.@wojespn on Frank Vogel's future with the Phoenix Suns: pic.twitter.com/153lglBJmH
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 28, 2024
Suns owner Mat Ishbia certainly has shown that he isn’t one to shy away from making big changes. It was under him that they acquired Durant and Beal, and fired Monty Williams, as Wojnarowski pointed out.
With the Suns not having a lot of flexibility when it comes to this roster, I think firing Vogel would be the route they go to. Organizations always look for a fall guy and he is likely to be just that. While Vogel was not given an ideal roster to work with, I think it’s fair to say he did not do a great job of coaching the group either.
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