Suns, Bradley Beal Finalize Contract Buyout; Clippers On Tap

The Phoenix Suns and shooting guard Bradley Beal have finalized a contract buyout, sending Beal into unrestricted free agency, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

This was the plan since the end of the season and the sides finally agreed on the terms of the buyout. Beal will soon sign on with the Los Angeles Clippers, as had been reported earlier this month.

His deal with L.A. will be for a reported two years and $11 million, with a player option on the second season.

“The crux of the decision for Beal and his representation was finding the best basketball situation first and foremost once he was granted permission by the Suns to speak to interested suitors around the NBA, and (agent Mark Bartelstein) led an exhaustive process over the last few weeks,” Charania wrote.

“Beal became extremely excited about the route to part ways after meeting with multiple interested suitors, and Bartelstein then moved forward with the Suns on completing the release Wednesday, opening the path for Beal to start a new chapter in LA.”

The Clippers have been compiling older stars over the past few seasons, and after not getting anywhere with Paul George (now of the 76ers), they’re giving it a shot with Beal alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

But most around the NBA will tell you that Phoenix is the biggest beneficiary of this transaction.

“This now gives the Suns increased team-building flexibility by taking them out of the first and second aprons, providing access to more tradeable draft picks in the future, and opening up part of the mid-level exception to utilize,” Charania wrote.

Beal appeared in 53 games for the Suns last season, averaging 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line. 

Phoenix is now moving forward with Devin Booker as the face of the franchise after the failed experiments of Beal and Kevin Durant.