As the Phoenix Suns move toward a roster overhaul, Bradley Beal’s future with the franchise appears all but over.
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports recently stated that Beal has “zero percent” chance of returning to Phoenix for the 2025–26 season. According to Gambadoro, the Suns plan to either trade the veteran guard or buy him out.
Beal, who turns 32 later this month, is coming off a season where he averaged 17.0 points on 49.7% shooting across 53 games. Despite the efficiency, his role behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker limited his offensive volume and impact.
With the team missing the playoffs and finishing 11th in the West at 36–46, the front office has already initiated major changes. The Suns traded Durant to the Houston Rockets earlier this week, signaling a shift toward youth and financial flexibility.
The next domino is Beal, though moving him is more complicated.
He is owed more than $100 million over the next two seasons and holds a $57.1 million player option for 2026–27. Additionally, he has a full no-trade clause, giving him the power to veto any potential deal.
According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, multiple league executives believe Beal’s current market value is closer to a mid-level exception deal rather than a maximum contract. That exception begins at $14.1 million in 2025–26.
“Beal could make that money back (or he could possibly add to his income) after hitting the open market,” Katz wrote. “The consensus [among executives] was in the range of the mid-level exception.”
Katz also noted that while Beal might be open to joining a well-run, competitive franchise, his preference is to avoid uprooting his family. That preference could limit trade destinations and force the Suns to consider a buyout if no suitable deal emerges.
A possible workaround, per Gambadoro, would involve Phoenix acquiring players with large contracts solely to waive them, thus creating financial flexibility for the offseason.
Beal arrived in Phoenix in June 2023 via a trade with Washington, which sent Chris Paul and multiple second-round picks to the Wizards. The move was intended to form an elite offensive trio, but injuries, defensive issues, and lack of depth prevented postseason success.
With Durant now in Houston and Beal’s exit seemingly imminent, Phoenix is pivoting to a younger core. The franchise acquired Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks from the Rockets.
The Suns are expected to build around Booker and Green moving forward, with added cap flexibility to reshape the roster.
