The Phoenix Suns have had many issues this season, one of which has left fans pointing at who is to blame. With each group of fans’ voices getting louder to blame, one name has quieted down. Bradley Beal, the first person under attack by fans this season, has recently emerged into some good graces of fans. The reason why? Since Bradley Beal has been reintegrated into the starting lineup, he has been on a tear. With this, though, the Suns still fail to win these games, and it clearly shows that this Big Three is an issue, but not for the reasons fans think.
The Suns “Issue” is Being Blamed for the Wrong Reasons
Bradley Beal on Fire
Since the Suns have put Beal back into the starting lineup, he has been electric for the team. Offensively, he has found his groove alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. They have been able to share touches and equally have been able to find the basket in the hoop. In their one win in the past four games, the three combined for 81 of the team’s 121 points in the win vs the Bulls. Beal had 25 points and has also been an efficient scorer. In these past three games as a starter, he has shot 57% from the field, with his highest being 80% on 15-shot attempts.
Bradley Beal’s last 3 games:
25 PTS – 6 REB – 4 AST
30 PTS – 4 REB – 1 AST
24 PTS – 5 REB – 11 ASTSuns 1-2. pic.twitter.com/x2cZvyCubd
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 26, 2025
Beal is NOT the issue for this Suns team, in the way you think. He has been one of the bright spots post-trade deadline. He can score at will when not restricted. When he came off the bench, he was seen as the scorer for the second unit. That is how he succeeded in being a dominant scorer without Booker and KD. The issue with Beal does not stem from his ability to play basketball but from his fit and what this team needs to succeed.
What is the “Issue” with Beal?
His Fit
When looking at Beal as a player, he is a top-tier one in the NBA. If he were put in the best situation, he could be a fantastic third option on a champion contender at this point in his career. He can catch and shoot, create his shot, and be a playmaker on offense. While on defense, he can be a solid rim deterrent and perimeter defender in the right team composition. Unfortunately, the Suns do not have the right pieces around Beal for him to succeed. His fit alongside the other stars who also need the ball in their hands to make contributions limits his productivity on this team. With the Suns issue being no primary defenders on the roster, it is hard for this team to be cohesive. The fit is an issue, but one may be even more alarming.
His Contract
Beal’s contract has indeed limited his value; he is one of two players in the entire NBA with a no-trade clause. Not only does he have a no-trade clause, but he is also making $50 million this year and for the next two seasons. With the Suns being a second-apron team, this type of contract makes it impossible to move his contract with the restrictions. That being said, he still has the no-trade clause. So even if you find a team willing to take on the $50 million, he would still have to approve going there.
Beal is a skilled and talented basketball player, but he does not warrant it in his contract. First, having a no-trade clause is wild. The only other player in the NBA to have that is LeBron James. There is no knock on Beal, but even with their age gap, he is not LeBron. Secondly, $50 million is superstar value, rather than third option value. Beal could have been moved if he had a $30-35 million contract. He would have been more affordable and viewed as a great third option as a scorer for any playoff team. However, the contract he got from the Wizards, made it hard for the Suns to trade for it. Knowing Beal has this NTC trading for him was a mistake in the first place.
The Last Word
Once again, that cannot be a knock on Beal because if you were presented with all of this, you would do the same. That is why he is not the Suns’ issue with this team. Yes, the fit and the contract have limited this team, but Beal has shown that he provides high-level play when he is healthy and in the right situation. Now, will this perfectly designed team happen here in Phoenix or somewhere else for Brad that remains the case? The rest of the season will determine how the Suns will approach this offseason.
Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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