The Phoenix Suns have officially completed the Bradley Beal buyout, marking a crucial turning point for the franchise as it embarks on a rebuild. This move, finalized in 2024, leaves the Suns with greater financial flexibility and clears the way for younger players to take a more prominent role as the team reshapes its strategy.
The decision to part ways with Beal not only reflects a shift in team direction but also impacts the Suns’ salary cap and roster structure. Fans and analysts alike are now scrutinizing what this means for both the immediate season and the franchise’s long-term trajectory.
Reactions to the Beal Buyout: Mixed but Hopeful Perspectives
The discussion surrounding the Beal buyout has been intense among Suns’ followers and insiders, with many expressing relief that a resolution has been reached. Ashton, a well-known Suns analyst, admits feeling fatigued by the ongoing debates about whether Beal should stay or go, highlighting the weariness caused by endless speculation and second-guessing.
Ashton stated,
“Peace out Bradley Beal. We barely got to know you and yes, the fans may have given you a raw deal. Coaching and management surely did when they overlooked the fit and decided to cut checks instead. Time to move on, Suns fans.”
—Ashton, Suns Analyst
OldAz has been vocal about preferring the buyout as it aligns better with the Suns’ new direction. He acknowledges the complexity of the buyout and its stretch provision, which will affect about $20 million of cap space over the next four to five years. OldAz hopes the front office will capitalize on this newfound flexibility to offload other cumbersome contracts, particularly those of Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, to facilitate a more efficient rebuild.
He explained,
“If they are able to make this move for $15-18M a season while offloading Allen or O’Neale then it fits my description above perfectly and swaps out a bad contract for a young player with enough upside to justify giving minutes. However, if that sign and trade is for $20M+ (sending back Allen and Richards) then I feel like it may be piling a new mistake on right as they are trying to move on from the last mistakes.”
—OldAz, Suns Fan
Rod, another long-time observer, takes a cautiously optimistic stance. While not enthusiastic about the dead money impacting the Suns’ cap sheet for years, he believes the team will avoid long-term damage and still possess adequate flexibility to build around promising young talent and future drafts.
Rod said,
“With that added flexibility is the question now… I am very glad that the team is now under both tax aprons and has gained a lot of flexibility moving forward. What they do with that added flexibility is the question now.”
—Rod, Suns Enthusiast
Evaluating the Performance of Suns’ Young Rookies After Summer League
The Suns’ rookie class, consisting of Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea, demonstrated varying levels of promise during the 2024 NBA Summer League, leaving fans and analysts to consider their long-term potential as foundational pieces for the franchise.
The Suns ended Summer League with a 2-3 record, showing inconsistencies against high-caliber competition, including teams undefeated in the tournament. Ashton pointed out that all losses were against the top teams, dubbing them the “Murderer’s Row” of Summer League, implying that the difficult opposition skewed evaluation.
Maluach, the #10 overall pick, struggled, particularly with his outside shooting. Ashton expressed concern over his shot selection and lack of production around the rim, deeming his Summer League performance underwhelming for a top-10 draft choice.
Ashton remarked,
“He needs to stop with the three-pointers and focus on actually making shots around the basket, which was awful, just like his +/-.”
—Ashton, Suns Analyst
Rasheed Fleming’s participation was limited due to injury, though his on-court presence when healthy impressed many. Ashton noted a respectable positive impact in limited minutes, suggesting Fleming may have a solid future with the Suns.
Brea emerged as a potential microwave scorer off the bench. His standout game against the Wizards stirred discussion among national pundits, some speculating he could be a draft steal. However, inconsistencies remained a concern, though his shooting and smart play drew praise.
OldAz took a more optimistic view, seeing untapped potential in all three rookies. He highlighted Maluach’s raw but evident upside, likening his future importance to that of DeAndre Ayton, while Fleming showed physical tools reminiscent of Amar’e Stoudemire.
He added,
“Fleming excites me the most despite us not getting to see too much of him. The simple fact that he displays NBA level talent in an actual NBA power forward shaped body gets me excited,”
—OldAz, Suns Fan
Rod’s assessment balanced hope with caution, praising fencing between flashes of talent and areas needing development. He sees Maluach requiring better conditioning and notes Fleming’s promising defensive metrics. Brea, meanwhile, may soon carve out a role as a scorer off the bench, potentially evolving from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal.
Rod shared,
“Brea looks like he could easily get time this year as a microwave scorer off the bench… Getting him on a two-way contract is a very big plus.”
—Rod, Suns Enthusiast
Progress and Challenges for Second-Year Suns Players
The Suns’ second-year players, Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, also drew attention for their Summer League play, with each displaying signs of growth amid ongoing developmental challenges.
Ashton praised Dunn’s scoring but suggested that minutes might have been better allocated, expressing some frustration over management of playing time in Summer League games. Both Dunn and Ighodaro missed the final Summer League game, reflecting broader league-wide rest management trends that even high-profile players like Draymond Green have commented on.
OldAz highlighted Dunn’s clear development beyond typical Summer League competition, comparing his trajectory favorably to established Suns players like Mikal Bridges while emphasizing his increased offensive sophistication. However, he raised questions about Ighodaro’s ultimate fit due to size and shooting limitations, anticipating role restrictions.
OldAz observed,
“Oso is a tough read… If he is hanging out at the corner on offense, you are basically allowing the defense to play 5 on 4.”
—OldAz, Suns Fan
Rod appreciated both players’ newfound confidence on the court, especially Ighodaro’s offensive aggression. However, free throw shooting remained a weak point for both, with Oghidaro converting less than half of his attempts, highlighting an area needing significant improvement.
Rod noted,
“Watching Oso make only 3 of 10 FTs in the Minnesota game was exasperating… And he’s still not developed any kind of an outside shot.”
—Rod, Suns Enthusiast
Historical Moments and Future Dates in Suns’ Timeline
Reflecting on past milestones, July 24, 1996 marked the signing of Steve Nash to his first contract with the Suns, a three-year deal averaging nearly $1 million annually. Nash humorously forecasted,
“Probably a little bit like Michael Jordan at first.”
—Steve Nash, Suns Player
Significant roster moves like the 2013 trade sending Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee, and a future first-round pick, resulted in a marked improvement for the Suns, setting historical precedent for strategic trades that reshape team fortunes.
The Suns also waived Taylor Griffin in 2010, a player who never reached the heights of his brother Blake Griffin, despite brief engagements with the Suns and the Charlotte Bobcats.
Looking ahead, key upcoming dates include the Suns’ preseason games beginning October 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers and a pair of international preseason matches against the Brooklyn Nets in China on October 10 and 12. The regular season opens on October 21, while the NBA All-Star Weekend returns to Los Angeles from February 13-15, 2026.
Recent Fan Poll Underscores Possible Trade Targets
A recent fan poll asked which Suns player was most likely to be traded over the summer. Nearly half of respondents (48%) believed Grayson Allen to be the top candidate, with Nick Richards and Royce O’Neale receiving 35% and 17% respectively. The poll engaged 350 voters, indicating clear fan interest in potential roster changes given the salary cap challenges facing the team.
Future Outlook: Navigating Challenges and Growth Opportunities
The Suns’ decision to pursue the Bradley Beal buyout reflects a strategic commitment to rebuilding with an emphasis on youth and financial flexibility. While the cap implications leave lingering concerns around dead money in the medium term, many believe the Suns’ front office now has the latitude to pursue moves that better align with a long-term vision.
The development of rookies Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea, complemented by the growth of second-year players Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, will be critical to shaping the Suns’ competitive outlook. Building a cohesive, dynamic roster amid financial constraints and evolving team philosophy remains the Suns’ central challenge.
How the new management navigates this nuanced landscape, makes prudent trades, and harnesses young talent will ultimately determine Phoenix’s resurgence as a playoff contender in the years to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can the Suns get rid of Bradley Beal?
A. The Suns have the option to release Beal, but they would still have to pay him for the two remaining guaranteed supermax years. This situation would be difficult for them. So, they are trying to negotiate a buyout instead.