Some teams say they're going to make changes, others go right to work and make changes. That's exactly what Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia has done this offseason. Right out of the gate, he fired head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season of a five-year deal $50 million, and will still get his remaining $40 million, despite not coaching the team moving forward.
Ishbia also made a move in the front office, moving James Jones into an advisory position and hand-picking Brian Gregory as the new general manager. Gregory pulled off a massive trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for a haul that included Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick and five second-round picks.
Suns fans in agreement on potential Bradley Beal decision
Gregory remained active during the NBA Draft when he sent the No. 29 overall pick and a 2029 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams after selecting center Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 pick.
There's one move that Suns fans hope Gregory could make, and that would be to find a way to get off of Bradley Beal's contract. He's due $53.66 million next season and has a player option for the following season at $57.13 million and a no-trade clause.
However, after the Milwaukee Bucks made a shocking move to waive Damian Lillard and pay out his remaining $113 million over five seasons, it's a possibility the Suns could do the same with Beal. Fans weighed in on the topic.
"Unless something happens to change the landscape, I think he gets waived," said one fan.
"Whatever works to get him off the squad honestly," said another.
"They 'should' trade him if they can, but not likely. If you can't trade him, waive and stretch him. You can't have him around or sitting at home on the books. Bad look," said one fan.
"Don't compound the mistake, just bite the bullet," one fan said.
No matter how they go about it, the prevailing sentiment is for Beal to no longer be on the roster by almost any means necessary. It's unlikely a contending team will look at Beal's price tag and decide to add him, so the Suns will likely have to choose between waiving him or enduring two more seasons with him.