Suns weighing potential Bradley Beal buyout

The winds are continuing to blow in the direction of a buyout for Bradley Beal. 

The Suns have discussed the idea of a buyout for the guard and allowing him to hit the open market, The Arizona Republic reported on Thursday. 

It follows an earlier suggestion from Phoenix sports radio host John Gambadoro, who speculated during an appearance on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” last month that the Suns would “either trade him or they will buy him out.” 

There are two years left on Beal’s contract, with a value of nearly $111 million. 

It stems from the five-year, $251 million contract he signed with the Wizards, which included a no-trade clause. 

Beal is reportedly open to a possible trade, according to The Athletic, but his ideal outcome would be to remain with the Suns. 

Beal’s arrival in Phoenix has not gone as planned since he arrived and averaged 17.6 points per game during his two seasons in the desert. 

Before his stint with the Suns, he had averaged 22.1 points per game in 11 seasons with the Wizards.

Beal, a three-time NBA All-Star, hasn’t played 60 or more games in a season since the 2020-21 campaign, which had been shortened to 72 games due to COVID, and he averaged a career-best 31.3 points while making the All-Star Game. 

Beal came to the Suns in the 2023 offseason in a trade that sent Chris Paul to the Wizards. 

He was expected to be a part of a Big 3 of sorts for the Suns, along with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. 

Durant was traded by the Suns last month in a potentially historic seven-team transaction that will see the Rockets acquire the NBA star. 

Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, and five second-round selections will go to the Suns in the trade.