With all of the crazy moves that have happened this NBA offseason, you would be forgiven for not checking in on former Phoenix Suns' mistake Bradley Beal. After being bought out by the Suns, he played only six games for the LA Clippers before going down with a hip issue. The free agent guard has not been seen (or signed elsewhere) since.
Beal's availability makes decision to trade for him sting even more
It speaks volumes that over one year after Beal exited The Valley, he is now best known for still being on their cap sheet for years to come and for delivering the franchise Jordan Goodwin. The fact that he ended up being the best player in that deal is laughable.
The Chris Paul era was probably over in Phoenix given how the rest of his career unfolded after being traded for Beal, ironically meeting his own ugly end with the Clippers as they effectively asked him to go away around the same time the player he was traded for was injured last season. Yet, the "Point God" always made those around him better, and perhaps playing alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant instead of Beal would have led to more success.
On paper, the fit was always much better. It was Paul's advancing age and the ability to add a multiple-time All-Star who, at one point in time, was extremely durable, that was the pull here.
The fact that he is currently in the same situation as Russell Westbrook and even Victor Oladipo (now that would be fun to see in Phoenix) in being without a team despite being only 33-years-old and a former franchise cornerstone in Washington speaks volumes.
Money still owed to Beal hindering Suns building another winner
If you thought this nightmare was going to end anytime soon, think again. Beal is owed just shy of $20 million by the Suns every year for the rest of the decade. The fact that it counts against their cap makes future roster moves more difficult.
As for building another contender around Booker, that won't happen unless improvement comes from within, and one two-way player already missed the chance to take some of Beal's minutes after he was sent packing.
The Booker/Durant era will forever be tied to owner Mat Ishbia being unable to resist the allure of Beal. As the front office gets better at trying to build a winner, it is a mistake that will continue to define their time in charge.
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