Bradley Beal’s tenure with the Phoenix Suns is unraveling faster than anyone expected. According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, Beal’s recent benching might not just be about performance—it could be a calculated move by the Suns to pressure him into waiving his full no-trade clause. Sidery stated,
“There is real tension within the Suns’ organization around Bradley Beal. Beal has been disgruntled with his role, and now being moved to the bench could escalate his concerns. Don’t be surprised if this is a play from Phoenix to push Beal to waive his full no-trade clause.”
When Beal joined the Suns in a blockbuster trade from the Washington Wizards, many believed his addition alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker would make Phoenix an unstoppable force in the Western Conference. However, injuries, lack of cohesion, and underwhelming performances have derailed that vision.
In his first season, Beal missed 29 games due to injuries, disrupting any chance of building chemistry with Durant and Booker. The Suns were shockingly swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, a bitter pill for a team with championship aspirations. This season, the situation has only worsened. Despite a strong start fueled by Durant’s scoring brilliance, Phoenix has nosedived, losing 10 of their last 13 games and slipping to 12th in the West with a 15-18 record.
Beal’s individual performances haven’t lived up to expectations. He’s averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game while shooting 48.0% from the field and 39.2% from beyond the arc. While these numbers aren’t terrible, they’re a far cry from the All-Star production the Suns envisioned when they traded for him.
Recently, Beal was removed from the starting lineup and relegated to the bench, a move that raised eyebrows across the league. For a player who was expected to be a centerpiece of the Suns’ offense, the benching highlights the growing dissatisfaction within the organization.
The Suns are in a difficult position. Beal’s massive contract—a remaining $110 million owed over the next two seasons—makes moving him challenging. Compounding the issue is his full no-trade clause, which means Beal controls his fate entirely. Unless he agrees to waive the clause, the Suns are stuck.
From Phoenix’s perspective, benching Beal might be a strategic move to make his situation so uncomfortable that he agrees to a trade. If the organization can convince him to waive the clause, it opens up possibilities to restructure the roster and make a late-season push in the tightly packed Western Conference standings.
The Suns need to turn their season around quickly, especially with the West being as competitive as ever. Kevin Durant is currently balling, and Phoenix can’t afford to waste Booker’s prime years. Whether Beal steps up to help or eventually waives his no-trade clause, changes are inevitable.
For Beal, this might be a defining moment in his career. If he stays, he needs to prove he can coexist with Durant and Booker and lead the Suns out of their slump. If he chooses to waive his no-trade clause, a fresh start elsewhere might reignite his All-Star potential. Either way, his future in Phoenix hangs in the balance, and the pressure is mounting on both sides to make a decisive move.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
