NBA Rumors: Bradley Beal's Suns Benching Was Not Attempt to Impact No-Trade Clause

It would have been easy to assume the Phoenix Suns' decision to bench Bradley Beal was done in part to motivate him to waive his no-trade clause ahead of a potential deal, but that reportedly was not the case.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Wednesday that Phoenix actually moved the guard to the bench "in hopes that the change would spark more of an aggressive output from Beal as a microwave scorer."

Still, the move came as the struggling Suns have been "actively searching for ways to improve the league's most expensive roster on the trade market" with moves that could involve giving up their only tradeable first-round pick in 2031.

Any developments with Beal's benching and no-trade clause are happening with the Jimmy Butler situation looming in the background.

After the Miami Heat suspended the six-time All-star and said it is open to trading him, NBA insider Marc Stein reported Sunday that Phoenix is "widely regarded as the team most interested in trading for Butler."

What's more, Stein added that Suns governor Matt Ishbia "is believed to be as willing to sign the 35-year-old to a lucrative new contract as anyone you'll find."

Still, the report highlighted that Phoenix is "well aware" Miami isn't particularly interested in accepting its offer of Beal and the 2031 first-rounder, which means the Suns would "clearly need to find a third team willing to take on Beal's contract (which owes him $110 million over the next two seasons) to have any shot at actually trading for Butler … in addition to Beal's willingness to waive his no-trade clause."

Beal's contract is paying him $50.2 million in 2024-25 and $53.7 million in 2025-26 before his $57.1 million player option for 2026-27 kicks in if he exercises it.

The guard's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN's Brian Windhorst, "There have been no discussions about trades with the Suns or any other team. Bradley's total focus is on helping the Suns turn things around."

Trade rumors or not, the benching produced the desired result right away. Beal was a spark off the bench during Monday's win over the Philadelphia 76ers and finished with 25 points, five assists, three rebounds, one block and one steal.

However, he had just 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field during Tuesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

It was another defeat for the 16-19 Suns, who have been among the most disappointing teams in the league and sit 1.5 games out of the final spot for the Western Conference play-in tournament.

Perhaps trading for Butler will turn things around, but there should be enough talent on the roster to make the playoffs even without such a move.