5 Best Deals The Phoenix Suns Can Get For Bradley Beal In 2024 Offseason

After a crushing first-round sweep in the playoffs, the Phoenix Suns are at a crossroads. With Bradley Beal’s less-than-stellar debut season in Phoenix and a hefty $161 million owed to him over the next three years, the Suns may be compelled to explore trade options. This move could help them reshape their roster and better position themselves for future success.  

Despite Beal's challenging year, his track record as a prolific scorer and playmaker means he still holds substantial value on the trade market. In this article, we'll delve into the five best deals the Suns might consider to leverage Beal's value effectively and rejuvenate their team dynamics.

The Suns Send Beal To The Jazz For Their Talented Duo

Phoenix Suns Receive: Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson

Utah Jazz Receive: Bradley Beal, Drew Eubanks

Bradley Beal's tenure with the Phoenix Suns could have been better, marked by uneven performances and a hefty salary that's strained the team's budget. Moving Beal might be Phoenix’s best option to dodge financial turmoil.

On the other hand, the Utah Jazz see an opportunity in Beal to bolster their competitiveness, pairing him with star forward Lauri Markkanen. This could revitalize their offense. The departure of Jordan Clarkson and promising young guard Collin Sexton from Utah may reflect a strategic pivot or a desire to streamline their squad for a fresh tactical approach. For Clarkson and Sexton, this could mean leaving behind roles that no longer fit Utah's evolving game plan.

Phoenix stands to gain substantially from this trade. Collin Sexton is poised to fill a critical void as the lead point guard—a role he seems ready to embrace with averages of 18.7 points and nearly 5 assists per game this season. Additionally, Jordan Clarkson, a standout bench scorer with an average of 17.1 points per game, could greatly enhance the Suns’ second unit.

This trade strategy appears to be a win-win for both teams. The Suns address crucial lineup gaps, securing a new point guard and a potent scorer off the bench. Meanwhile, the Jazz welcome a seasoned star in Beal who could significantly amplify their offensive capabilities alongside Markkanen. This reconfiguration could well elevate both teams, helping them build more dynamic and competitive teams.

Another Great Piece In The Grizzlies Lineup

Phoenix Suns Receive: Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar

Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Bradley Beal

This past season, Bradley Beal averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. While these numbers are solid, they mark a decline from his peak performance levels, suggesting that a change of scenery might benefit both Beal and the Suns. By redistributing Beal’s responsibilities and cap space across multiple players, Phoenix could achieve greater depth and flexibility in their lineup in a trade.

After losing Ja Morant for the season, the Memphis Grizzlies found themselves slipping to 13th in the Western Conference. In a bid to revitalize their lineup for the upcoming season, acquiring Bradley Beal could be a game-changer. Pairing Beal with a healthy Morant would create a formidable backcourt, complemented by Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., rounding out a stellar starting lineup. This move could position the Grizzlies as serious contenders in the West.

For the Suns, this trade brings in Luke Kennard, a sharpshooter who can immediately boost their perimeter scoring. Brandon Clarke adds a burst of energy and a strong interior presence, alleviating the need for Kevin Durant to play at power forward—a role he's less suited to. John Konchar contributes as an efficient role player known for his hustle and versatility. These pieces could mesh well with the Suns' current roster, possibly offering a more balanced team dynamic.

The Kings Make A Gamble To Go Back Into The Postseason

Phoenix Suns Receive: Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles

Sacramento Kings Receive: Bradley Beal, Bol Bol

The Sacramento Kings, having missed the playoffs this year, are poised to make a bold move to shake up their roster and push for a postseason return. Despite Bradley Beal's hefty salary, the potential upside of adding his scoring prowess could be a game-changer for the team. The Kings are parting with Kevin Huerter, who didn't have his best year, and Harrison Barnes, who is entering an expiring contract and could provide valuable experience and leadership elsewhere. Trey Lyles is included in the deal primarily to balance the salaries.

For the Suns, this trade brings in Kevin Huerter, a younger player with a promising shooting ability, potentially filling the gap left by Beal. Harrison Barnes brings a veteran presence and a championship pedigree, offering solid contributions on both ends of the floor. The addition of Trey Lyles provides depth in the frontcourt. The Suns' acquisition strategy focuses on adding versatility and youth to support their core, including Kevin Durant.

To make the trade more appealing to Sacramento, the Suns agree to include Bol Bol after re-signing him in free agency. Bol's unique skill set and potential development could be intriguing for the Kings, adding an additional layer of talent to their roster. This trade represents a strategic pivot for both teams, aiming to realign their objectives and capabilities as they prepare for the upcoming season.

A New Star In Detroit To Get Out Of The Bottom

Phoenix Suns Receive: Evan Fournier, James Wiseman

Detroit Pistons Receive: Bradley Beal

The Detroit Pistons finished last in the Eastern Conference and as the worst team in the league, signaling a dire need for a significant roster shake-up. Pairing Bradley Beal with Cade Cunningham could dramatically transform Detroit's backcourt, injecting much-needed scoring and experience that could propel the team out of the league's basement and into competitive relevance.

Evan Fournier, moving to the Suns, offers a sharpshooting presence on an expiring contract, providing Phoenix with a proven scorer and financial flexibility moving forward. James Wiseman, a young center who has struggled to find his place with the Pistons, could benefit from a change of scenery. His potential re-signing and subsequent trade to Phoenix offers the Suns a promising young talent who could either serve as a backup to Jusuf Nurkic or even challenge for a starting role. This would open up possibilities for Phoenix to potentially trade Nurkic for additional assets if Wiseman fits well into their system.

For Detroit, acquiring Beal represents a bold move to escape the bottom of the standings. His proven scoring ability and veteran leadership could help guide the young Pistons, especially Cunningham, as they strive to build a more formidable and competitive team. This trade not only aims to elevate Detroit's immediate prospects but also reshapes their identity and trajectory in the Eastern Conference.

The Hornets Get Competitive After A Long Time

Phoenix Suns Receive: Davis Bertans, Grant Williams, Cody Martin

Charlotte Hornets Receive: Bradley Beal

The Charlotte Hornets have struggled in recent seasons, and it's time they leverage their promising young core, including LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, by adding a seasoned star to the mix. Acquiring Bradley Beal could be the key to turning around their fortunes, providing them with a proven scorer and veteran leadership that could make them competitive in the Eastern Conference. 

In exchange, the Phoenix Suns receive Davis Bertans, Grant Williams, and Cody Martin. Bertans, who is on an expiring contract, doesn't offer long-term commitment, allowing the Suns to clear approximately $17M in cap space the following year—an attractive proposition for future roster flexibility. Grant Williams brings valuable versatility to the Suns as a stretch four, which could allow Kevin Durant to return to his natural small forward position without the burden of playing too physically in the paint. Cody Martin, while included primarily to match salaries, also provides depth and hustle on both ends of the floor.

This trade is strategically beneficial for Charlotte as it significantly boosts their offensive capability and gives Ball and Miller a seasoned companion to accelerate their development. For the Suns, the deal brings financial relief and a player in Williams who could potentially thrive in a new environment, fitting well into a system that values spacing and shooting. This move could help both teams address their current needs while setting them up for better trajectories in their respective conferences.