Mat Ishbia wasted no time when he bought the Phoenix Suns in February 2023 by trading for Kevin Durant. It became clear Ishbia wouldn't take a patient approach to turning the Suns into contenders, but that doesn't mean his decisions have paid off (they quite literally haven't).
Phoenix was ousted in the second round by Denver, the eventual champions, in 2023. Ishbia and the front office returned to the drawing board over the summer, trading for Bradley Beal, forming what they hoped would be a Big Three that'd result in a title. The Suns are further away from a trophy than before they made that trade.
Beal averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in his first season in Phoenix, shooting 51.3% from the field and 43% from three. The Suns finished with the sixth-best record in the West, a position they'd love to be in this season, but failed to win a playoff game. Fans thought it couldn't get worse, but this season has proven it can.
Phoenix's shortcomings can be summed up by the front office making Kevin Durant and Beal available before the trade deadline. Durant turned down a reunion with the Warriors because he didn't want to be traded midseason, while Beal's no-trade clause kept the Suns from acquiring Jimmy Butler, who is thriving in Golden State.
Beal's no-trade clause has hurt Suns even worse than expected
Beal is signed through the 2026-27 season, a $57.1 million player option he should pick up. He's making $50.2 million this season and $53.7 million in 2025-26. His contract makes it challenging enough to trade him, while his no-trade clause complicates the matter even further.
On Friday, ESPN's Tim MacMahon wrote that Beal and Durant's futures with the Suns are "uncertain." KD declined to speak to ESPN about his future, while Beal talked about what it's been like for him in Phoenix up to his point and where his headspace is. He said things have been hard this season, but he still has "the best job in the world."
Beal said he is still "smiling every day" not only because he plays in the NBA, but also because of his no-trade clause. Like Durant, he didn't want to be traded midseason, but Beal didn't rule out an offseason trade:
"It is a different deal in the summer," Beal said. "Everything is kind of more laid out on the table. You got more options."
There is evident power in a player having a no-trade clause. It worked to Beal's advantage when he didn't want to be traded before the deadline, but it's only made things more challenging for the Suns.
Beal being grateful for his no-trade clause makes perfect sense, but it also shows why trading for him was a mistake. Even though he seems open to an offseason trade, there's no guarantee he'll give Phoenix the green light to do one.
Ishbia's aggressiveness and willingness to spend hasn't worked in the Suns' favor, with the Beal trade serving as a prime example. Fans can only hope he'll be willing to waive his clause this summer if the right deal materializes.