The move that brought Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns two seasons ago has not yielded the results the team expected. Since joining the Suns, Beal’s performance has been underwhelming, with the franchise only making a single playoff appearance and suffering a complete sweep in that postseason. The spotlight on Bradley Beal Phoenix Suns struggles has grown as frustrations mount on all sides.
Beal holds a rare ‘no-trade’ clause, shared only with a few elite players like LeBron James, which has prevented Phoenix from facilitating an easy exit. The Suns have tried to convince Beal to waive this clause, but so far, those attempts have been unsuccessful. This leaves the team with limited options, such as negotiating a buyout or facing more complicated scenarios. However, former NBA champion Richard Jefferson argues that Beal shouldn’t shoulder all the blame for the situation.
The Team Dynamics and Front Office Decisions Behind Beal’s Challenges
With Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s aggressive approach, the team acquired Beal before the 2023-24 season to build a formidable trio alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Beal arrived with strong credentials, having averaged 23.2 points in the previous season. Still, those numbers fell short of his peak scoring years, where he topped 30 points per game in both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, ranking him among the NBA’s elite scorers.
The Suns aimed to tap into this high-level offense, but the results were disappointing. Richard Jefferson highlighted critical failures in the team’s structure as a major factor in Beal’s struggles.
Phoenix didn’t have a point guard their first year,
Jefferson explained on the Road Trippin’ podcast.
Then the second year, they bring in a point guard, but they got a brand new coach. Bradley Beal was never put into a position to succeed.
—Richard Jefferson, Former NBA Player
Jefferson’s point underlines how the Suns’ instability at the point guard position and coaching changes contributed to an environment where Beal could not thrive. Despite his talent, basketball history shows that individual skill alone does not guarantee team success.
Issues with Player Roles and On-Court Compatibility
One of the Suns’ fundamental issues was that Bradley Beal and Devin Booker have similar playing styles. Neither naturally plays the facilitator’s role, but Phoenix pushed Booker into that position. This adjustment did not suit Booker well and left Beal without a reliable playmaker to support his scoring efforts.
Kendrick Perkins emphasized the importance of a strong facilitator for Beal during his most successful seasons.
There’s a reason Beal’s greatest scoring season came in the 2020-21 NBA campaign, and his starting point guard was a big reason. In the 2020-21 season, when he averaged 31 points, when you talk about a facilitator, you know who his teammate was at that time? Russell Westbrook,
Perkins said. —Kendrick Perkins, NBA Analyst
During his peak scoring season, Beal benefited greatly from playing with Westbrook, a natural playmaker who could create opportunities and relieve pressure from Beal’s scoring responsibilities. In Phoenix, that kind of support was lacking.
Potential New Opportunities and What Lies Ahead for Beal
Beal’s next destination remains uncertain, but the Los Angeles Clippers emerge as a strong contender for acquiring him. This potential move would offer a better fit, as Beal would join a team with James Harden, a proven facilitator who can shift roles during a game and take pressure off Beal’s scoring duties.
Alongside Harden, Beal would also benefit from Kawhi Leonard’s presence to share the offensive load and Ivica Zubac anchoring a defense ranked among the best in the league.
Meanwhile, ongoing discussions between Beal and the Suns continue, with outcomes still unknown. Where Beal lands could prove pivotal in reshaping the narrative around his career and rejuvenating his performance.
The Broader Impact of Beal’s Situation on the Suns and NBA
The difficulties experienced by Bradley Beal highlight the complexity of assembling successful NBA teams. It illustrates how crucial roles, coaching stability, and player compatibility are beyond individual talent. For the Suns, these struggles have exposed flaws in their roster construction and strategic planning.
For Beal, this phase could define the next chapter of his career. Whether he remains with Phoenix or moves on, the lessons learned from these challenges will likely influence how teams evaluate fit and roster balance in the future.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Bradley Beal be waived?
A. The Suns could let Beal go and cover his salary as a dead cap hit for the next two years. However, there isn’t a strong reason to choose this option. If they have to pay him anyway, keeping him could be useful, especially to offer as a trade option with an expiring contract next summer.