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Bradley Beal Makes Candid Statement About Bench Role For Phoenix Suns, He's Got a Strong Opinion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Brooks | Last updated Jan 7, 2025 1:09 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns had high hopes entering the season, and they even got off to a hot start. When Kevin Durant suffered an early-season injury, things didn't look all that great.

Since the two-time NBA champion has returned to the floor, the team has been abysmal, and he's not to blame.

The Suns gutted their depth with the arrival of owner Mat Ishiba. Sure, he's been a willing spender, but the club has a trio of stars that is no longer equating to wins.

In an attempt to shake things up, the Suns moved Bradley Beal, the third star behind Durant and Devin Booker to the bench.

Beal strived in his role in just one game off the bench. Phoenix snapped a four-game skid and Beal scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, leading the team while playing 30 minutes.

After his superb performance, Beal got candid about his new role and his feelings regarding coming off the bench.

"I'm a starter in the league, I firmly believe that," Beal said. "No disrespect to anybody, but I'm a starter. That's what I firmly believe.

"But Coach made his decision, I'm not going to sit here and argue with him. I'm not going to sit here and be a distraction, I'm not going to sit here and be an [expletive]. He made his decision, I live with it. He's the coach. I just gotta go out and play my game and do what I do, and whatever happens from there, happens from there."

Beal's name is hot in the trade market right now. He has to waive his no-trade clause, making a deal a bit more difficult for the Suns as the star guard has to agree to the destination.

Still, by coming off the bench, Beal might be more open-minded to more teams and markets in a trade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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