Two words that will make any Phoenix Suns fans shudder. Bradley. Beal. Long gone, but unfortunately he will remain on the payroll for many years to come yet.
He also appeared to have some thoughts on Devin Booker leaving The Valley ASAP, which is not going to endear him to the fans there any more after his disastrous spell with the franchise.
Beal trade did give Suns valuable role player in Jordan Goodwin
But if you cast your mind back to the Beal trade that ended up undoing that version of the team, you might remember that Jordan Goodwin was added to the deal to make it all work.
Despite a first run in Phoenix that surpassed all (modest) expectations, the point guard moved on to the Memphis Grizzlies where he had the most productive stint of his career to date as a starter.
That led to a spin with the Los Angeles Lakers, who like every other team he has played for really liked what they saw. Just not enough to keep him around long-term. It was back to Phoenix last season, where the Beal trade continued to pay off for the team in some small way.
Goodwin the perfect backup floor general, forming a surprisingly effective duo off the bench with Jamaree Bouyea. Their combined ability to defend bigger players crucial for head coach Jordan Ott to build the defense that he envisioned.
He also had no problem backing up Collin Gillespie when he started games, although that could become more of an issue next season with Gillespie coming back seemingly a high priority for the organization.
But the Suns would be making the same mistake again if Goodwin somehow leaves this team, and his inclusion in the Beal deal is the only thing that saves it from being one of the worst trades of the century.
Not by a lot, but at least they ended up with a serviceable point guard who has proven he can be part of a winning team in Phoenix.
The fact he is affordable and plays the way coach Ott needs on both ends of the court also helps his cause, Goodwin setting up his elite offensive teammates brilliantly.
If the Suns can't bring Goodwin back again next season, this roster will move on. But it is still funny to think that the random player added to a massive trade for the franchise comfortably outlasted the guy who the Suns badly wanted in the first place.
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