Bradley Beal Trade Interest Reportedly 'No More Encouraging' for Suns Than at Deadline
A potential trade involving Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is reportedly "no more encouraging" now than it was at the NBA trade deadline in February, according to Jake Fisher of The Stein Line.
"That landscape is no more encouraging for Phoenix four-plus months later," Fischer wrote. "It’s a reality that has left the Suns resigned to the idea that trading (Kevin) Durant is their only means to dramatically reshape their roster around Booker without sinking further in the Western Conference abyss."
Ever since the Suns’ “Big Three” of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Beal fell short of expectations, the hype surrounding the three-time All-Star has faded.
After Phoenix missed the playoffs with a disappointing 36-46 record, there was some belief the team could try to move Beal to retool the roster around Durant and Booker. However, the Suns are unlikely to land a significant return for Beal, making a trade centered around Durant a more plausible path as the NBA draft approaches.
As the Suns discovered back in February, few teams were “willing to entertain absorbing the two years and nearly $111 million still left on Beal’s contract,” per Fisher. Only the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards showed any level of interest at the time, and even then, Beal’s no-trade clause became another major deterrent for potential suitors.
As the Suns gear up for next season with the 31-year-old guard still on the roster, Durant’s potential departure could open the door for Beal to take on a larger role and produce at the level Phoenix had hoped for when acquiring him.
“There is likewise some hope within the Suns that moving Durant could possibly present Beal with more offensive opportunity to produce in a manner you'd expect from a player with that sort of contract,” Fischer wrote. “As The Stein Line has previously reported, various candidates considered during the Suns' recent coaching search were asked how they would try to get the best out of Beal if he remained a Sun.”
