Bradley Beal could soon hit the open market as a free agent.
Despite being under contract with the Phoenix Suns for the next two years, with a player option in the final year, worth $110 million, Beal will likely be able to pick his next team on the open market.
This past season, the Suns posted a 36-46 record and finished as the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. Another poor finish on a season led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led to a roster shakeup.
The club traded Durant to the Houston Rockets, and returned Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks.
The team will remain a solid team. They won’t be tearing the roster down and rebuilding. Instead, they are retooling around Booker — their franchise superstar.
Beal’s $110 million over two years, combined with a no-trade clause, makes it very, very difficult for the franchise to trade him.
Instead, a buyout appears to be on the way. Despite reports claiming the Suns and Beal are negotiating the terms of the buyout, Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory didn’t open up on the situation.
“With negotiations and contract stuff, we just don’t talk about the players,” Gregory said.
Just before that, however, Gregory made it clear his opinion of Beal won’t change, regardless of whatever decision is made.
“My view of Brad will never change,” Gregory claimed.
The team is reportedly trying to waive and stretch Beal’s contract over five years, though the veteran guard will have to sacrifice some of his contract to help the Suns get under the second apron.
While Beal will be paid a strong salary over five years, should the two sides agree to the buyout terms, Phoenix will create short-term roster-building flexibility.
Booker is entering his prime years, meaning the Suns should certainly be trying to retool quickly, allowing him to compete at the highest level during his best seasons in the NBA.
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