Suns star voted one of NBA's worst contracts of last five years
By Luke Duffy
![Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns - Game Four Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns - Game Four](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4503,h_2532,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/69/01j12s6f5dkb7fwn86yr.jpg)
The Phoenix Suns have three stars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal who are owed over $150 million alone next season. That kind of top-heavy cap sheet the reason the organization aren't able to make any big time moves this summer without giving one of the three up.
They've entered the second apron with their current roster, which severely restricts them from making the kind of moves that they'd like to. Booker obviously isn't going anywhere - and even though we found a trade for Durant that would suit both parties - he's staying in The Valley for now as well.
Beal's no-trade clause ensures he's stuck in Phoenix, and his current contract has now been named one of the worst in the NBA in the last five years.
That's according to Bleacher Report, who had Beal listed second in the seven player list that makes for depressing viewing if one of these players are on your team. Starting in 2024-25, Beal has $160 million remaining on his current five year, $251 monster that the Washington Wizards couldn't wait to get away from.
June 18, 2023: Wizards trade Bradley Beal to Phoenix
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) June 18, 2024
One year since:
• Wizards own No. 2 pick
• No longer paying Beal $50 mil/yr.
• Pick swaps: ‘26, ‘28, ‘30 (via PHX)
• Second-round picks: ‘24, ‘25, ‘26, ‘27, ‘30 (via PHX)
Suns: swept in round 1, owe Beal $150 million pic.twitter.com/Arstk3kHHL
He played only 53 regular season games for the Suns in his maiden campaign, a mix of back, nose, and hamstring injuries curtailing his involvement. It was the sheer volume and amount of different knocks that should worry the Suns, as this is a player who didn't miss a game from 2017-2019.
Those days look to be gone, replaced instead with a 30-year-old who is unlikely to ever be an All-Star again. The Suns don't even need him to be there, but they also don't need moments like this from their third best player during a humiliating sweep at the hands of the much younger and hungrier Minnesota Timberwolves.
dabdsubsd pic.twitter.com/5s9hecIE5e
— Diamond Dog (@DiamondDogzzz) April 29, 2024
When he was healthy, Beal had some nice moments with the Suns. In no way was he value for money given the deal he is on, although it is also fair to point out the franchise didn't have an established point guard either. Bleacher Report don't see this situation getting any better for the team moving forward though, because Beal is currently unmoveable.
"Since his three remaining cap hits are each $50-plus million, Beal is practically unmovable. While he waived the no-trade clause to leave the Wiz, that can be credited to Phoenix being a more competitive team. If the Suns aren't excelling soon, it's not unreasonable to say Beal probably is not playing at an All-NBA level—and wouldn't be enticing on the trade market at his salary."
- Bleacher Report on Bradley Beal
Next. 3 players you didn't know landed on the Suns' G League roster. 3 players you didn't know landed on the Suns' G League roster. dark
It is unclear what exactly would represent a realistic improvement from Beal next season to make his contract worth it. Being available for more games would be a start, and shooting over 40 percent from deep as the third option wouldn't be a bad outcome either. Hard to argue this one though, and it's probably only going to get worse for the Suns.