The Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls are reportedly engaged in trade discussions centered around Bradley Beal, as the Suns attempt to facilitate a deal to acquire Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the concept of Beal ending up in Chicago has been floated, though any potential trade remains in the exploratory stage. These discussions come as Phoenix seeks to reshape its roster ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.
“If I’m talking about a three-team trade and Jimmy Butler is on one end and not going to Chicago, we’re talking about Bradley Beal. The bottom line is that the Bulls and the Suns have talked and the concept of Bradley Beal ending up in Chicago has been discussed.”
“I’m not saying it’s going to happen. I’m not saying it’s close or whatever. Obviously, Beal has a no-trade clause.”
Bradley Beal, who joined the Suns this past offseason in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards, has not lived up to expectations in Phoenix. While Beal has shown flashes of brilliance, his $50 million salary cap hit and no-trade clause have complicated the Suns’ efforts to pursue a third star like Butler.
Beal’s remaining contract includes $53.6 million in 2025-26 and a $57.1 million player option for 2026-27, making him a challenging asset to move.
The Miami Heat have expressed little interest in taking on Beal’s contract in a direct swap for Butler. Consequently, the Suns are exploring multi-team trade scenarios to offload Beal and acquire Butler, and the Chicago Bulls have emerged as a potential partner.
If Beal waives his no-trade clause, he could provide the Bulls with an All-Star-caliber replacement for Zach LaVine, should Chicago choose to part ways with their current star.
The Bulls’ involvement in these trade talks signals their willingness to explore changes to their core roster. Zach LaVine, who is having a strong season averaging 24.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, has been the subject of trade rumors for months. The Bulls may see an opportunity to swap LaVine for Beal, potentially gaining additional assets from Phoenix in the process.
While Beal and LaVine share similar skill sets, a trade could offer Chicago some financial flexibility or future draft capital. LaVine’s contract runs through the 2025-26 season, with a player option for 2026-27. If the Bulls feel Beal’s fit alongside their roster is better than LaVine’s or are intrigued by the idea of pairing Beal with Nikola Vucevic for a fresh dynamic, the deal could make sense for them.
Despite the potential benefits, there are significant hurdles to overcome. Beal holds a no-trade clause, giving him full control over his next destination. As of now, there is no indication that he has agreed to waive the clause for a move to Chicago.
Additionally, the Suns’ trade capital is limited, as most of their draft assets are tied up in protections. This restricts their ability to sweeten a deal for either the Bulls or another team that may need to be involved.
On the Bulls’ side, the appeal of swapping LaVine for Beal might not be substantial enough to warrant the move. LaVine is younger, arguably more durable, and performing at an elite level this season. Unless Phoenix or another team offers additional incentives, Chicago may be hesitant to make the trade.
For the Suns, these discussions underline their aggressive pursuit of Jimmy Butler to pair with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Adding Butler would make Phoenix a stronger contender in the Western Conference, but the process of facilitating the deal has proven challenging. If Beal doesn’t waive his no-trade clause or Chicago backs out of negotiations, the Suns may need to explore entirely different trade frameworks.
As the February 6 trade deadline approaches, the Suns face mounting pressure to make a significant move. Whether this scenario materializes or not, the ongoing conversations reflect the fluid nature of NBA trade negotiations, where multiple teams and players’ preferences dictate the final outcome.
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