Bradley Beal is locked into his current contract with the Suns for two more seasons, totaling $103.8 million, and has a player option for the 2026-27 season worth $57.1 million, which he is likely to exercise given its significant value.
Not only does Beal’s contract pose challenges for the Suns in terms of team-building, but he also holds a no-trade clause for the duration of the three years remaining on his deal. ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggested that this aspect should have given the Suns pause before acquiring him last summer.
Marks commented, “That should have been a dealbreaker for Phoenix… Now, they are committed to Beal’s no-trade clause and what could be considered one of the most detrimental contracts in NBA history. While Beal is a talented player, his value doesn’t align with the $50 million per year he’s set to earn, nor does it justify the $160 million remaining on his contract.”
Beal’s contract wouldn’t pose significant problems if the team’s plan for this season—pairing him with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker—had succeeded as anticipated. However, the team experienced significant inconsistency throughout the season, finishing with a 49-33 record in the regular season and ultimately being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
Few teams will be more intriguing to monitor this summer than the Suns. One thing is for certain, however—if Beal decides he doesn’t want to go anywhere, the Suns are stuck with him. And even if he’s open to a trade, other teams may not want anything to do with his massive figure or that no-trade clause.