The Phoenix Suns are considering buying out guard Bradley Beal from the remainder of his contract, sources told Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Beal is owed over $110 million over the next two seasons. He's set to earn $53.7 million in 2025-26 and has a player option worth $57.1 million for 2026-27. He originally signed the contract - a five-year, $251-million max deal - with the Washington Wizards in July 2022.
The Suns paid a significant price to acquire Beal, sending Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, the rights to swap four first-round picks, and six second-round picks to Washington in June 2023. It was one of the team's first moves after the NBA approved Mat Ishbia's $4-billion purchase of the franchise in February 2023.
Beal was brought in to form a Big 3 in the desert alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant but struggled to acclimate to the new setting.
Injuries immediately derailed the start of his stint in Phoenix; he missed the first seven games of 2023-24 with a low back strain, returned for three games, then missed the next 12 with the same issue. In his third game back, he sprained his right ankle, causing him to miss the next five games. He then missed another five straight in February with a hamstring ailment.
He didn't fare much better in his second season. He sat out for several multi-game stretches throughout 2024-25 with calf, knee, ankle, toe, and hamstring injuries, limiting him to 53 games for a second straight year. The Suns went 36-46 and missed the playoffs despite boasting one of the most expensive rosters in the NBA.
Beal is one of just two players in the league to have a no-trade clause in his contract, the other being Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. Beal reportedly refused to waive the clause ahead of the February deadline as the team tried to acquire veteran wing Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Butler was eventually traded to the Golden State Warriors.
Phoenix is now attempting to retool its roster around Booker. On June 22, the Suns reportedly agreed to trade Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th pick in this year's draft (Khaman Maluach), and five second-round picks.
