Bradley Beal may still believe in the Phoenix Suns’ championship vision, but the city no longer seems to believe in him. After a second straight disastrous season, Beal remains defiant, stating:
“I love Phoenix. I love being here. I hope that I can continue to be here.”
Yet the fans—and increasingly, analysts—appear to want the exact opposite.
The optimism that greeted Beal’s arrival in 2023 has all but vanished. What was once hailed as a superteam experiment—Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant—has become a cautionary tale of financial recklessness, injury woes, and an unbalanced roster.
Beal’s numbers—17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on elite shooting splits—suggest he’s been efficient. But those stats are misleading. He’s played just 106 out of a possible 161 games and has rarely looked like the three-time All-Star who once averaged over 30 points per night for the Washington Wizards.
The Suns gambled everything on Beal: Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, four first-round pick swaps, six second-rounders, and any semblance of roster depth. In return, they’ve received a player whose contract includes a no-trade clause and still owes him over $110 million. That clause, in particular, has become a lightning rod of frustration.
The Suns reportedly tried to trade Beal at this year’s deadline—most notably in talks for Jimmy Butler—but Beal wouldn’t waive his clause. Phoenix, quite literally, is trapped.
Mariah Rose, the daughter of Jalen Rose, summed up the frustration best when she called Beal the “NBA equivalent of a scammer.” Her comments were bold and went viral, but they mirrored the sentiment of Suns fans who feel Beal has hamstrung their team’s future while failing to deliver in the present.
The no-trade clause has become an albatross, preventing Phoenix from correcting one of the worst trades in recent memory.
To make matters worse, the Suns completely missed the playoffs this season, finishing with a 36-45 record—an embarrassing regression from last year’s 49-win campaign. With one of the highest payrolls in league history and a tax bill nearing $100 million, Phoenix’s collapse is more than a disappointment. It’s a financial and competitive catastrophe.
Now, the franchise is weighing its options. There are rumors of a potential buyout—a desperate move that would free up some flexibility but also force the team to admit total failure. If that happens, teams like the Heat, Nuggets, Warriors, and Spurs are expected to pursue Beal. But that scenario would require Beal’s cooperation or at least a willingness to walk away from one of the most lucrative deals in basketball.
Still, Beal insists he wants to stay. Perhaps he truly believes the Suns can run it back and make it work. But after two years of injuries, fit issues, and unmet expectations, it’s clear the fans aren’t interested in patience anymore.
They want results—or change. And if Beal won’t go voluntarily, the franchise may soon have no choice but to force the issue, one way or another.
