The Phoenix Suns acquired Bradley Beal in 2023 by giving up a package centered around Chris Paul and draft capital, including their 2025 second-round pick, which just became Micah Peavy. It was a three-team trade featuring seven players and draft picks through 2030. The Suns will keep feeling the heat, but nothing has been worse than Beal’s play.
Phoenix thought acquiring Beal would make them a title contender. They had Devin Booker and Kevin Durant atop their roster, but Beal has played more like a role player. There is always a new problem and his no-trade clause prevents the Suns from sending him packing. His massive contract is impossible to waive, so Phoenix is just stuck with him until his deal expires in 2027.
The Suns keep paying for this nightmare trade. It just cost them the 40th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and Phoenix still owes four second-round picks and three first-round swaps. Things will only get worse.
Suns gave up another draft pick as part of Bradley Beal trade package
Phoenix fans would love to forget about this deal, but that won’t happen anytime soon. Here is a look at the updated details of the trade, including the draft picks we know so far.
- Suns received: Bradley Beal, Jordan Goodwin, Isaiah Todd
- Wizards received: Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, Bilal Coulibaly, Melvin Ajinca, Micah Peavy, 3 future first-round pick swaps, 4 future second-round picks
- Pacers received: Jarace Walker, a 2028 2nd round pick via the Suns, 2029 second-round pick via the Wizards
No team wants Beal’s contract, especially with his demand to keep his no-trade clause. That fact only makes this deal look worse for the Suns. They virtually went all-in and have one playoff appearance to show for it. Phoenix missed the playoffs entirely in 2025 and is facing a bleak future.
The Suns will keep paying for this trade over the next five drafts. Beal will thankfully be off their roster by that point, but the damage will be done. Phoenix may be in the middle of a total rebuild with things looking bleak. This trade and the overpay for Kevin Durant are to blame, and Mat Ishbia is the only one fans can thank for those nightmare moves.
Giving up the 40th overall pick is not a massive cost, but those first-round pick swaps will be problematic if the Wizards improve. The Suns can’t tank because they do not own their draft capital. They must find a way to improve with limited assets. Otherwise, Phoenix could face a dark decade where wins are difficult to come by. The pain isn’t stopping anytime soon.
It is on Ishbia to right the ship. There is no faith in him doing so, but that is his job. Finding a way to move Beal would be a start, but fans shouldn’t expect it. The only thing they know for certain is things are bad and trending towards total disaster. Sadly, the fix may not come.