The Phoenix Suns and Bradley Beal Buyout Talks
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly in talks regarding a potential buyout with Bradley Beal as he approaches the final two years of his hefty $110 million contract. According to Duane Rankin from the Arizona Republic, discussions are underway about a deal for Beal, who is currently in the midst of a five-year, $251 million contract that he signed prior to the 2022-23 season.
Contract Complications
Despite the Suns’ preference for trading Beal, his contract includes a no-trade clause, which complicates matters. Additionally, interest from other teams has been limited, largely due to concerns over the substantial financial commitment for a player who has averaged just 52 games over the last six years.
At 32, Beal had an impressive performance in the two seasons leading up to his max deal, averaging over 30 points per game. However, after being traded to the Suns only a year into his contract, his production has significantly diminished.
Potential Buyout Implications
“Should a buyout occur, it would mirror the recent actions of the Milwaukee Bucks, who waived Damian Lillard, utilizing the NBA’s stretch provision to disperse the financial obligations over a five-year span.”
For the Suns, negotiating a buyout could mean extending a significant portion of Beal’s remaining salary—estimated around $90 million—over the designated time frame. In this scenario, Beal would need to relinquish at least $13.8 million in order for Phoenix to effectively stretch the contract, notes Yossi Gozlan, an analyst on NBA salary cap matters. Following this potential buyout, Beal would enter free agency but might favor finding a trade opportunity instead to secure the remaining $20 million owed to him.
Financial Considerations for the Suns
The Suns currently find themselves over the league’s second apron by $10 million, a situation that incurs hefty taxes and limits trade opportunities. Executing a buyout for Beal could not only place the team back under this threshold but also yield significant savings of about $230 million.
Timeline for Resolution
As of July 6, NBA teams can officially finalize contracts with players, presenting a timeline for the Suns to execute a buyout. This date also marks the official recognition of the trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, a 2025 first-round selection (later used to draft Khaman Maluach), along with five additional second-round picks.
Given these logistical factors, both the Suns and Beal have a pressing incentive to reach a resolution on the buyout before the deadline.
Beal’s Performance with the Suns
During his tenure with the Suns, Beal, a three-time All-Star, recorded an average of 17.6 points while shooting 41% from beyond the arc and participating in 53 games. However, the Suns have faced disappointment, finishing with a record of 85-79 and exiting in the first round of the playoffs, falling short of the high expectations associated with the collaboration of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker.
