NBA Scout Says Suns' Bradley Beal Is 'a Shadow' of Himself, Maybe Was 'Overrated'

An anonymous NBA scout believes that Phoenix Suns veteran Bradley Beal was "a shadow" of his former All-Star self during the 2023-24 season.

"But Beal has been a shadow of what he had been," the scout said, via Josh Robbins and Sam Amick of The Athletic. "Maybe he was overrated to begin with, but he has not been the same player."

During his first season in Phoenix following a blockbuster trade in the 2023 offseason, Beal's average of 18.2 points per game was his lowest mark since his 2015-16 campaign with the Washington Wizards.

The 30-year-old struggled to stay on the floor throughout his first year with the Suns due to back, ankle, and hamstring issues early in the season. The star trio of Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant hardly shared the floor together as Phoenix tumbled down the Western Conference standings.

When healthy, Beal's production dipped compared to his All-Star teammates. Both Booker and Durant averaged an identical 27.1 points per game, with the two players suiting up in at least 68 contests each.

The Suns were ultimately able to salvage their season and avoid the play-in tournament, owning the No. 6 seed in the West with a record of 49-33. Phoenix is now set to face off against a tough Minnesota Timberwolves team in the first round of the playoffs, as the Timberwolves ended the year with the No. 1 defensive rating in the association (via NBA.com).

Beal could be a key factor in the series, as the Suns emerged victorious in both games that he played against the Timberwolves during the regular season. He also closed the year strong, shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 64.6 percent from three over the final 10 games of the regular season (per NBA.com).

If he's able to maintain his hot shooting in the postseason, it would go a long way toward helping the Suns go on a playoff run and live up to the preseason hype.