The 2024-25 season has gone anything but according to plan for the Phoenix Suns, but three-time All-Star Bradley Beal has made it clear he plans to stay put in Phoenix -- at least, for now.
But that could change this coming offseason, according to his latest remarks. In an article by ESPN's Tim MacMahon published on Friday, Beal was quoted as saying he did not want "his life uprooted with a midseason trade." He did not, however, close the door on a potential departure this summer.
"It is a different deal in the summer," Beal said. "Everything is kind of more laid out on the table. You got more options."
Despite possessing a no-trade clause, Beal had his name floated around in all kinds of speculation in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. At one point, the former Florida Gator appeared poised to land in Miami (or an alternate destination) in a potential multi-team trade for five-time All-NBA wing Jimmy Butler.
Instead, Butler landed with the Golden State Warriors, and Beal remained on the books with Phoenix -- as did the remaining three years of his hefty contract. The 31-year-old guard is set to make over $110 million in the next two seasons, a price tag that may be too expensive for the Suns to hold on to.
Phoenix majority owner Mat Ishiba has made one thing clear about his squad's future plans: the team will continue to build around 28-year-old All-NBA guard Devin Booker. The fate of Beal and 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, however, appears to be far less clear.
While the veteran duo wound up staying put in Phoenix following the trade deadline, either or both could be back on the move by next July.
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This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM.