The Phoenix Suns have reached a deal to acquire guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and Entertainment, confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Sunday.
The outline of the trade would send Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and multiple draft picks to the Wizards who could end up moving Paul to another team as part of a larger trade.
New Suns owner Mat Ishbia continues to add big names to the roster. Beal will join Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who the Suns acquired in a trade deadline deal in February.
The Miami Heat, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, also had interest in Beal who has a no-trade clause in his five-year, $251 million contract that expires after the 2026-2027 season.
The Suns lost to the Nuggets in the second round and went into the offseason looking to make improvements. They also wanted out of Paul’s contract, which is scheduled to pay him $30.8 million in 2023-24.
Beal, 29, is a three-time All-Star and 2020-21 All-NBA selection. This past season, he averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds and shot 50.6% from the field and 36.5% on 3-pointers. However, he has played in just 90 of 162 games the past two seasons.
Beal, his agent, and the team had explored trades for the past week. Beal, who is the only player in the NBA with a full no-trade clause in his contract, has spent his 11-year NBA career with the Wizards, who selected him with the third overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Beal will be entering the second season of his contract and is set to make $46.7 million in 2023-24.
Beal’s true value is on the offensive end if he can stay healthy as he is one of the league’s premier perimeter shooters.
In April, the Suns and Phoenix Mercury hired Josh Bartelstein to become CEO of two franchises. Bartelstein is the son of Beal’s agent.
The Wes Unseld Jr.-coached team has posted back-to-back 35-47 records, missing the postseason both seasons.
Forwards Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma have player options for next season they can exercise. Porzingis has a $36 million player option and Kuzma’s contract is set at $13 million if he opts in. Both have to decide their plans for the next season by June 21.
