The Wizards and the Suns have reportedly reached an advanced stage in finalizing a trade involving All-Star guard Bradley Beal.
Multiple reports indicate that Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, has confirmed the ongoing negotiations.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the proposed trade would involve the Suns sending Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a package of future second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps to the Wizards in exchange for Beal.
It is important to note that this trade may involve the participation of a third team to facilitate the acquisition of Chris Paul. While the main framework of the trade has been established, the involvement of a third team remains a possibility.
The most significant development in this trade is that Beal has waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move to the Suns, as stated by Bartelstein on Sunday.
This decision demonstrates Beal’s willingness to explore new opportunities with another team.
While the trade details are still being finalized, the reported trade package involving Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, future second-round picks, and pick swaps showcases the substantial assets the Suns offer to acquire Beal from the Wizards.
It remains to be seen if any further adjustments or involvement of additional teams will occur before the trade is officially completed.
Bradley Beal Completes Trio
Bradley Beal, a three-time All-Star, has played his entire 10-year NBA career with the Washington Wizards.
He was drafted third overall by the Wizards in 2012 and has maintained impressive averages of 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
In a significant move for the Suns’ owner Mat Ishbia, the team acquired Kevin Durant in a trade that involved multiple players and first-round draft picks shortly after Ishbia took over in February.
Now, Ishbia has added Beal to the Suns’ roster, creating a trio of active NBA players who have played over 500 games and averaged at least 22 points per game—Beal, Durant, and Booker.
The combined salaries of these players amount to approximately $130 million for the upcoming season, resulting in a significant financial investment by the Suns to bolster their chances of winning a championship.
Beal is currently in the second year of a potential five-year, $251 million contract, with the last year being an option that would pay him $57.1 million.
Over the next four years, Beal is set to earn around $207.7 million.
Chris Paul, a highly accomplished player with 12 All-Star appearances and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, had a career-low scoring average of 13.9 points per game in the previous season.
However, he contributed 8.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game over 59 games.
Paul, 37, has two seasons remaining on his four-year contract with the Suns in 2021.