The Phoenix Suns finally got Bradley Beal off their roster, but his buyout was just the beginning of a new mess for the franchise. The only way Phoenix avoids the second tax apron is by waiving-and-stretching his contract, which will put $19.4 million of dead money on their books for the next five years. Phoenix can’t get rid of the charge and will pay every season through the 2030 campaign.
Beal scored 17 points per game last season on 49.7 percent shooting from the field and 38.6 percent on his 3-point tries. Those are strong numbers, but the three-time All-Star had no trade market because of his massive salary and no-trade clause. Beal had to approve any deal and was not looking to leave Phoenix. It forced the Suns into a position of buying him out or sticking with the final two years and $110.8 million left on his deal.
The Suns got nothing in return because Beal wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause. He did give back enough money to allow Phoenix to stretch his contract, but that was the only saving grace. Now, Beal is headed for LA as a rich man joining a contender, while being paid handsomely by his former employer.
Bradley Beal got another one over on the Suns
The Suns paid Beal like a star to get role player production for two years. He made nearly $97 million, but was not the third star Phoenix thought they were acquiring. He played 53 games each season, and the franchise won zero playoff games. Owner Mat Ishbia touted Beal as the final piece in the Suns' championship puzzle, but they were more a pretender than a contender at every stage.
To make matters worse, the Suns won’t be able to spend the $19.4 million of Beal’s cap hold on a player to help them win for each of the next five seasons. Devin Booker wants to play for one team his entire career, but it will be difficult to build around him when the money that Phoenix could use on an elite role player is off limits. Ishbia keeps paying for his mistakes. This may be his biggest, and it will cost the team for the rest of this decade.
Hopefully, the Suns learned some important lessons. Star power is not everything, and no-trade clauses are problematic when the fit doesn’t work. Phoenix has to regret trading for Beal and will every year through 2030 as they watch potential targets being snagged by rivals.
The Phoenix Suns saved $200 million this season by buying out Bradley Beal. It pushed them below both aprons and under the luxury tax line. They now have the flexibility to make moves, and the Beal headache is gone from their roster. The harsh reality is that it created a new set of problems over the next five years.
Beal was the winner here. He got paid by the Suns and was free to sign with the franchise of his choosing. The 6’5 wing will be on the Clippers next season, with Phoenix covering the majority of his tab. All Suns fans can do is regret this trade and move forward with the painful realities of it. This move had to be done, but the hurt isn’t stopping until the end of the 2029-2030 season.