Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal has not escaped the trade rumors in the 2024-25 NBA season. Amid the Suns’ struggles and the team being linked to Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Beal’s name has often been mentioned in trade talks.
In addition to the rumors, Beal has also been demoted to a sixth man after the Suns’ four-game losing streak. His first game off the bench was on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers where he scored 25 points to lead Phoenix to a 109-99 win.
On Tuesday, however, the team suffered a 115-104 loss against the Charlotte Hornets despite Devin Booker’s 39-point outing.
While his name has been linked as an asset for the Suns in a potential trade with the Heat, the final call is up to him. Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract and can veto trades not in his favor.
“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” Beal said. “So, until I’m addressed and somebody says something differently, then I’ll be a Sun.”
Bradley Beal addresses the trade rumors: ‘I hold the cards’ https://t.co/d3oDRhnIrD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 8, 2025
Beal still has three years in his contract, with a player option in the final year. This season, he’s set to earn $50,203,930 million and the only way for him to change teams is if the Suns trade him. The three-time All-Star has played 24 games this season, averaging 18.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists on 39.7% shooting from deep.
Bradley Beal is not a fan of benching, but willing to help the team
Bradley Beal showed promise in his first action as the Suns’ sixth man. But according to Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, Beal wasn’t a huge fan of coming off the bench. But, the star guard plans to follow coach Mike Budenholzer’s strategy to help improve the team’s 16-19 record.
“Beal also intends to play in whatever position he’s put in,” Vorkunov wrote. “He was not happy about being moved to the bench, but he said he adjusted to it quickly, putting together one of his best games of the season. He offered the Suns a burst of energy at a time they needed it as they meandered through an ugly first half.”
Bradley Beal: "I hold the cards. So, until I’m addressed and somebody says something differently, then I’ll be a Sun.”
Beal came off the bench to star in the Suns win, but amid trade speculation he made it known that all deals run through him. https://t.co/FOttU825ko
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) January 7, 2025
The head coach wanted to help space the floor and improve their ball movement. With Beal in the starting lineup, he gets to share it with stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who need the ball to be effective.
“I’m a starter in the league,” Beal said. “I firmly believe that. I don’t believe that — no disrespect to anyone, but I’m a starter. That’s what I firmly believe. But Coach made his decision. I’m not gonna sit here and argue with it. I’m not gonna sit here and be a distraction. I’m not gonna sit here and be an a–hole. He made his decision. I live with it. He’s the coach, know what I’m saying? I just gotta go out and play my game, and whatever happens from there, happens from there.”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
