As one of the only players in the NBA with a no-trade clause, Suns guard Bradley Beal has total control over which team he suits up for this season. But according to The Athletic’s Fred Katz, Beal is open to waiving his no-trade clause once again if the right situation is presented.
“The Suns are making calls about the two veterans they just moved to the bench, though they have yet to ask Beal for his thoughts about any potential trade, team sources said. Beal’s sign-off is necessary, considering he can veto any deal that includes him. He would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the right destination, according to a source familiar with his thinking.”
Beal, 31, and veteran big man Jusuf Nurkic were moved to the bench earlier this season. Beal’s future has been in doubt ever since, with the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes raging in the background. So far, however, Beal has yet to formally ask for a trade and would rather wait for the Suns to approach him instead.
“It’s not Beal’s style to approach a front office on his own. He went 11 years in Washington without asking for a trade. Once the Wizards finally moved him, it was because new leadership initiated the idea, not the other way around. He has told people close to him that if the Suns never ask him to waive the no-trade clause to facilitate a deal, then he won’t propose it on his own.”
Bradley began his career with the Washington Wizards in 2012 but it took 11 years before he played for another team. Year after year, Beal stayed loyal to the Wizards and they rewarded him with a lucrative no-trade clause. But after so many failed seasons, the Wizards convinced Beal to let them trade him and they haven’t looked back since.
Now, the former Wizards star is the third and final member of the Suns’ big three, which also includes Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. His arrival was part of new Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s grand plan to buy his way to a championship and it’s still a work in process.
Unfortunately, the results have been less than ideal and the franchise is looking to upgrade the roster once again. As the team’s newcomer, with a price tag of $160 million, Beal has become a popular scapegoat among the fans, and tension over his changing role builds with every loss.
This season, through 30 games, Beal is averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 48.5% shooting. He’s been decent on the court for the Suns but it’s no secret that he might be open to trying his luck with a team like the Lakers, Warriors, or Heat.
Like most NBA stars, Bradley Beal just wants a big role on a contending team and while there are limited spots available, he might yet thrive in the right situation. If not with the Suns, Beal’s scoring and ball-handling abilities are sure to be useful somewhere and it may not be long before a team comes along with the right kind of offer.
For now, everything is uncertain for Beal and the Suns. If the right team doesn’t make the right offer, he’s going to stay right where he is and that does not bode well for his chances to win a title in the near future.
After scoring 5 points off the bench on Monday, Beal has a chance to redeem himself against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 7:30 PM EST at Barclays Center. Next, the Suns return home where Beal will face off against his former team (the Washington Wizards) at Footprint Center on Saturday, January 25th at 9:00 PM EST.
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