Bradley Beal’s time with the Phoenix Suns appears to be nearing an end, as buyout discussions between the All-Star guard and the franchise have reportedly intensified, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Beal, who averaged 17.0 points on 49.7% shooting last season, struggled to find his footing behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the Suns’ offensive hierarchy. Phoenix finished 36–46, missing the playoffs entirely and triggering a series of moves to reshape the roster.
Earlier this offseason, the Suns traded Durant to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, signaling a clear shift toward youth and financial flexibility. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports noted that Beal has a “zero percent” chance of returning to the team for the 2025–26 season.
Trading Beal outright remains complicated due to his full no-trade clause and the $100 million he is still owed over the next two seasons. He also holds a $57.1 million player option for the 2026–27 campaign, further reducing his appeal to potential trade partners.
According to Fred Katz of The Athletic, league executives believe Beal’s current market value is closer to the mid-level exception, which starts at $14.1 million in 2025–26. This discrepancy between his contract and market value has made a buyout a more realistic path.
Katz also reported that Beal may prioritize stability for his family, which could narrow the list of acceptable destinations if a trade were pursued. This factor, combined with the team’s desire to clear cap space, has fueled the growing buyout conversations.
Beal joined the Suns in June 2023 in a trade with the Washington Wizards, which cost Phoenix Chris Paul and multiple second-round picks. The Suns envisioned him as part of an elite scoring trio, but injuries, defensive shortcomings, and roster imbalance derailed those plans.
With Durant already gone and Beal likely to follow, Phoenix is expected to build around Booker and Green while maintaining cap flexibility to retool the roster.
The team has also engaged other clubs about potential moves involving Nick Richards, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale, according to Stein.
