Adrian WojnarowskiSenior NBA Insider Jun 18, 2023 4:31pm ET3 minute read
The Washington Wizards are in the middle of a deal to send three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. The package is said to include Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, multiple second-round picks and a pick swap, sources told ESPN on Sunday.
The deal could take a few days to go through, but Beal is on his way to join the Suns to form a new Big 3 with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, sources said.
Beal’s agent, Priority Sports’ Mark Bartelstein, confirmed to ESPN that there is a framework in place that will bring Beal to the Suns.
“It was an extremely complicated process with so many different hurdles to overcome, and Ted Leonsis and Michael Winger were incredible partners in making it possible,” Bartelstein told ESPN. “Ever since the day Ted picked Brad, he’s been by our side [former general managers] Ernie Grunfeld and Tommy Sheppard. You’ve always supported Brad in every way, and now we’ve experienced the exact same thing with Ted and Michael Winger. We are extremely grateful.”
Beal is waiving his no-trade clause to align the deal with a Suns franchise that now boasts a top-heavy roster of talent and salaries. Beal will join Booker, Durant and Deandre Ayton — four Max contracts along with a forthcoming collective agreement designed to severely limit roster flexibility for teams above the $117 million luxury second tax limit. For the Suns, it’s the ultimate all-in-play to aim for a championship.
The Suns leadership and key players on the team have been relentless in recent days selling Beal as a target on Phoenix to fulfill his championship hopes, sources said.
Owner Mat Ishbia has committed massively to payroll and luxury taxes on the Beal and Durant deals in a bid to claim a title in the coming seasons. The Suns will have $163 million in wages tied to Booker, Durant, Beal and Ayton for the 2023-2024 season.
According to sources, Bartelstein has been working closely with Winger over the past few days to negotiate a deal with Phoenix. The discussions also included discussions with several teams. Beal’s no-trade clause proved limiting to the options Washington had in the market to negotiate a return on the deal.
The Wizards will give up the final four years and $207 million of Beal’s contract, clearing the way for Winger to reshuffle the roster after the franchise missed the playoffs in four of the last five years — each of which has included losing seasons . The Suns had no first-round draft picks to include in the deal because the Brooklyn Nets controlled them due to the Kevin-Durant deal.
After 11 years with the Wizards – who ranked him #3 overall in 2012 – Beal is nearly 30 years old and agrees with Winger that there is no quick way for the franchise to compete.
Once the Beal transfer is complete, the Suns will have made two blockbuster trades under Ishbia in recent months, including the Durant deal.
After completing the first season of a five-year, $251 million contract, Beal’s status as the only current NBA player whose contract had a negotiated no-trade clause gave not only the possibility of potential goals, but the manner of one potential package Winning him had implications for his new supporting cast.
Beal’s no-trade clause will transfer to the Suns with him.
Leonsis gave Winger complete autonomy in deciding whether to seek a rebuild with the Wizards or continue his path with high-paying veteran talent. The Wizards are awaiting player options for forwards Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom can become unrestricted free agents.
Beal averaged 23.2 points in 50 injury-ridden games last season, posting a career-best shooting average of 51%. He averaged 22.1 points throughout his career – including consecutive seasons of 30.5 points and 31.3 points from 2019 to 2021.