Suns fans given unexpected lifeline with Mat Ishbia's comments on no-trade clause

There is plenty of uncertainty hanging over the Phoenix Suns right now, but perhaps none more than the future of Bradley Beal. That's because unlike head coach Mike Budenholzer - who they have already fired - and even Kevin Durant, Beal's future is in his own hands. To a large extent Durant's is as well, but the franchise will work with him to find the most ideal landing spot they can for KD.

Beal is different because of that no-trade clause he possesses, and it is something that only LeBron James also boasts in the league today. He has final say on any potential trade, and he's also making $110 million over the next two seasons. Beal has also gone on record saying he's happy in Phoenix, so in theory the Suns are saddled with him and the money he is owed for now.

Owner Mat Ishbia has given fans a glimmer of hope on this one.

Ishbia did a media tour of sorts earlier this week, coming out publically to address the many shortcomings of the season. First it was a top-table interview with the assembled media in which he repeatedly blamed himself for what went wrong, while also showing he has the self-awareness to get out of the way and let the people he employs to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

Then Ishbia went on the "Burns & Gambo Show" - popular with fans in The Valley - and attentions eventually turned to the next steps for the franchise. At this point Ishbia felt the need - which you can check out below - to say that if a player doesn't align with the vision in Phoenix, then they will not play there. No-trade clause or not.

It is unclear exactly what this means - or even how Ishbia could achieve this - but mentioning a no-trade clause by name would appear to be a not so subtle jab at Beal. His commitment was called into question plenty over the course of the season, and it reached a real low in appearing to cheer on a made Stephen Curry 3-pointer as the Suns' season went up in flames.

There was talk of a potential return to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline, but that ultimately went nowhere. So this means either Ishbia is confident of offloading the 31-year-old to a destination that both wants him and that he would also go to - not likely right now - or else he's going to go for the nuclear option. The waive and stretch.

This piece here does a nice little job of explaining what waiving Beal would actually look like, but the main point is this. He would no longer be in Phoenix - and the Suns could decide to just take a massive blow to their cap for the next two seasons anyway - or else they could stretch out the massive amount owed to him so as to create a little more flexibility.

To be clear, this is not a scenario that should be entered into lightly. It might not even be the right thing to do, given that 12 months from now Beal will be an expiring contract. By that point any number of superstars could be unsettled - and rather watch them walk - they could look to swap them out for Beal before creating a ton of cap space to work with themselves.

But Ishbia seems determined to come to some resolution with Beal this summer, otherwise he would have said nothing about it. Keeping Devin Booker happy is the main priority in The Valley - and if that means getting rid of Beal as soon as possible in order to try and be competitive again - then that is what they are going to do. Suns fans should be happy that change could be on the way here.