Bradley Beal Has Reportedly Been Traded To The Phoenix Suns For Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, And Pick Swaps

Bradley Beal is officially on his way out of Washington. According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania, Beal is headed to Phoenix in a blockbuster deal that sees the Wizards get Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and some pick swaps in exchange for the former All-Star guard.

Shortly before this, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Wizards were deep into talks with a pair of finalists, the Heat and the Suns, on a deal that would receive Beal’s blessing — Beal is the only player in the NBA who has a full no-trade clause, and would be able to veto any decision that the Wizards made if he wanted.

The news of a potential Beal trade began circulating in recent days in the lead-up to the 2023 NBA Draft, as it was reported that Washington and Beal’s representation would work together in the event the team decided to rebuild. One of the most productive players in franchise history, Beal was selected third overall by the Wizards in the 2012 NBA Draft, and has spent his entire professional career in the nation’s capital. Over the course of his career, Beal has averaged 22.1 points, 4.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.7 minutes per game and has earned three All-Star nods. He is about to enter the second year of a 5-year, $251 million maximum extension that he signed last offseason.

Beal’s agent confirmed to Woj the deal had been agreed to in principle.

He now joins a Suns team that has as much top-level talent as any in the league, and by moving Chris Paul it would seem they are fully embracing Booker as their nominal point guard with the starting unit — with Beal and Kevin Durant as more than competent secondary ball-handlers. The question, of course, for Phoenix is how they’ll build a team around their stars. Ayton is still a potential trade candidate, but they’d need to turn him into multiple positive role players, which isn’t a guarantee given his value is a question mark. For now, Suns fans can dream of the offensive firepower of their group and will wait to see how they round out the roster around their trio of All-Stars.

As for the Wizards, they now figure to be open for business, with Kristaps Porzingis’ player option decision looming, Kyle Kuzma entering free agency, and a rebuild apparently underway in the nation’s capital under a new front office. Chris Paul figures to be very available via trade going into the Draft, but also may end up just getting bought out prior to his guarantee date in late June. The Athletic’s Josh Robbins reported the Wizards and Suns may look to make this a three-team deal to find Paul a new home if he doesn’t want to join the Wizards.