Phoenix Suns Reach Agreement for Bradley Beal Buyout
The Phoenix Suns have finalized a buyout deal for guard Bradley Beal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Beal is set to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year contract worth $11 million, which includes a player option, pending he clears waivers.
His decision to accept a $13.9 million reduction on the buyout enables the Suns to stretch the remaining amount of Beal’s $110 million contract, allowing them to manage the payouts over five years instead of two, significantly loosening their salary cap constraints.
This move aids the Suns in escaping the first and second apron, which has limited their trading capabilities, such as:
- Combining multiple outgoing player salaries in trades
- Incorporating cash in trades
- Using trade exemptions in signings
- Accessing mid-level exceptions for free agents ($14.1 million for non-taxpayers or $5.7 million for taxpayers)
- Utilizing a biannual exception for signing a free agent
Beal’s exit represents a significant shift in the team’s roster under new general manager Brian Gregory, who took over from James Jones in early May. The Suns previously traded star forward Kevin Durant in a large seven-team deal that yielded several notable assets.
Throughout his two seasons with the Suns, Beal averaged 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 50.5% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. While these statistics might appear favorable on paper, the reality was quite different.
Beal’s trade to the Suns is likely to be remembered as one of the franchise’s most disappointing moves, as he struggled to develop chemistry with his teammates and his substantial contract limited the team’s flexibility.
