The Phoenix Suns made a big move in the offseason by trading for Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. However, the season did not go as smoothly as they had hoped. They ended the season with a 49-33 record, earning them the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report highlighted why the Beal trade may be the Suns’ biggest regret.
“Bringing in a third score-focused player at the expense of depth and balance may have seemed like a smart move at first, but the Suns ended up with the NBA’s worst fourth-quarter performance, playing lackluster ‘your turn, my turn’ offense,” Hughes wrote in a story on April 16.
Hughes also pointed out potential long-term issues for the Suns due to the trade.
“The Suns sacrificed future draft picks and are now committed to paying Beal the remaining three years of his $161 million contract. This could create obstacles for roster-building this summer due to salary cap constraints.”
Beal is in the second year of a five-year, $251 million contract. In his first season with the Suns, he averaged 18.2 points per game. Although his scoring decreased, his shooting efficiency improved as he played alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, shooting 51.3% from the field and 43% from three-point range.
Beal Adjusts to New Role With Suns
In an interview with NBA.com’s Shaun Powell, Beal discussed adjusting to his new role as the third scorer behind Durant and Booker.
“While I aim to be aggressive in my play, I also recognize we have many capable contributors. Finding shots for everyone, not just myself, Book, and KD, is important as we progress through the season,” Beal told Powell in a story from February 22.
Beal previously played with skilled scorers such as John Wall, Kristaps Porzingis, and Kyle Kuzma in Washington. However, the Suns have faced the challenge of adapting to having three score-first All-Stars on the team.
Calls for Suns to Trade Bradley Beal
In a story from March 18, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz argued that the Suns should trade Beal for the team’s benefit.
“The trade for Beal was questionable due to his contract and recurring injuries, which limited him to 37 games this season. This reinforces that the trade may have been a mistake.”
Swartz recommended the Suns seek a trade that benefits all parties, even if it means receiving a lower level of talent in return.
“If the Suns can negotiate a trade that works for all parties (Beal has a no-trade clause), they should pursue it. Acquiring quality role players such as a point guard or defensive wing to complement Booker and Durant, while unloading Beal’s hefty contract, could be beneficial.”