Report: Bradley Beal to consider waiving no-trade clause for ‘right destination’

The Bradley Beal-Phoenix Suns relationship is appearing to have run its course. And as the star guard noted before, he “holds the cards,” in trade talks and will reportedly waive his no-trade clause for the right destination, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic.

Beal’s status with the team reached a new low in their disastrous 118-92 loss to the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday as the three-time All-Star scored just five points and was a -25 in 24 dejected minutes. Every game moving forward is seemingly drifting Beal and the Suns apart.

And as the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline rapidly approaches, Phoenix (21-21) is desperately searching for a team (or teams) to help facilitate moving the 31-year-old. But many factors stand in the way, most notably Beal’s no-trade clause.

“Beal would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the right destination, according to a source familiar with his thinking,” Katz said in his report. “But as of now, management hasn’t gauged whether he wants out — and if so, to where?”

In seven games since being moved to the bench, Beal is averaging 14.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 30.4 minutes per game. Katz notes Suns coach Mike Budenholzer moving Beal to the bench was political in no way and was purely a basketball move. Phoenix is 6-3 since the move (Beal missed two games with a left ankle sprain).

Facilitating a trade for Beal will be very difficult given CBA restrictions, Phoenix’s lack of trade assets (one first-round pick and one second-round pick), and Beal’s withstanding trade clause. If it were to happen, though, it needs to happen soon if the Suns want to salvage what has been a mediocre season.