Bradley Beals time in Phoenix may be nearing its end as the Suns and Beal are reportedly discussing a buyout of the final two years and $110 million left on his contract.
The Suns would use the NBA’s stretch provision to spread Beal’s remaining salary over five years if an agreement is reached, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported the development.
“The Suns would negotiate a buyout for most of the money still owed on his contract. That could be $90 million stretched out over five years,” NBA salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan explained. “Beal would have to give back at least $13.8 million to allow Phoenix to stretch his contract.”
This comes just days after the Milwaukee Bucks executed a similar move with Damian Lillard, waiving the veteran guard and stretching his two years and $113 million across five seasons.
Beal signed a five-year, $251 million deal before the 2022-23 season but was traded to Phoenix roughly a year later. Since joining the Suns, his numbers have steadily declined. Over the past two seasons, he averaged 17.6 points while shooting 41 percent from three-point range and playing 53 games in each campaign.
“The Suns would have preferred to find a team that would take Beal in a trade, but his contract includes a no-trade clause. Perhaps more importantly, few teams were interested in taking on that kind of money for a player who has averaged 52 games over the past six seasons,” Rankin wrote.
Phoenix is currently $10 million over the NBA’s second apron, which comes with heavy penalties and limits roster flexibility. Stretching Beal’s contract would reportedly save the team $230 million and bring them under that threshold.
Beal, a three-time All-Star, could hit free agency if the buyout is finalized. However, Rankin noted the veteran “likely would prefer the Suns work out a deal with another team that would enable him to recoup the remaining $20 million he was to be paid.”
The Suns went 85-79 during Beal’s tenure and suffered a first-round playoff exit this year, falling short of the expectations set by their “big three” of Beal, Devin Booker, and Durant.