After weeks of speculation, Bradley Beal’s buyout with the Phoenix Suns still hasn’t gone through, and now we might know why. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, the process is being held up by a unique clause in Beal’s contract that guarantees him a $13+ million advance on next year’s salary. With that payment set to process on July 15, Beal may have little incentive to finalize a buyout until the money hits.
“League sources say Beal’s current contract stipulates that he is owed a 25% advance payment on his 2025-26 salary on July 15. As in this coming Tuesday. The early payment is valued at more than $13 million,” reported Stein on Saturday. “While sources say that Beal will ultimately receive that amount no matter how his eventual exit from the Suns plays out, it is believed that he could elect to wait for that payment to go through before proceeding with his departure from the desert.”
Beal, 32, came to Phoenix in the summer of 2023 after 11 years with the Wizards. In two seasons so far, Beal’s tenure has been defined by setbacks and injuries, with nothing to show in the way of success. Last campaign, he put up some of the lowest stats of his career (17.0 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds on 49.7% shooting) for a Suns team that finished 11th in the Western Conference.
The situation was deemed as unsalvageable by team owner Mat Ishbia this summer, who broke the team up by trading various players, including Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic, and Josh Okogie. The Suns also explored trade options for Beal, but between his no-trade clause and the $110 million remaining on his contract, no team has been willing to meet their terms.
At this point, the best option for Beal and the Suns would be a straight buyout so he can hit free agency, but it seems that Beal isn’t willing to lose a penny in this whole ordeal. Beal seems willing to wait as long as necessary to ensure every dollar comes through, even if he knows he’ll receive it regardless.
The good news for the Suns is that it’s only a few days until they can give Beal his advance. As early as July 15, they can give Beal that paycheck he’s been waiting for, and maybe then, he’ll finally be ready for a change of scenery.
With various teams expected to take an interest, Bradley Beal will have plenty of options this summer and, ultimately, he’s going to be in a lucrative position if he leaves the Suns. Besides being able to pick his next landing spot, he’ll also be one of the league’s highest earners, and it will be interesting to see the results.
Whether Beal ends up in Miami, Milwaukee, or somewhere unexpected, his exit from Phoenix now feels like a formality—just one delayed by dollars and timing. Once the check clears, the buyout should follow swiftly, and Beal will be free to reshape the narrative of his career. Until then, the rest of the league waits for both the money and the next move.
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