Suns-Wizards Bradley Beal Trade Confirmed, But Return Is Brutal for Washington

Bradley Beal and Chris Paul - Washington Wizards v Phoenix Suns

(Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - Bradley Beal (#3) of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Chris Paul (#3) of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on December 20, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Wizards defeated the Suns 113-110.

The Phoenix Suns have emerged as the winners in the Bradley Beal sweepstakes.

Barely a week after it was first reported that the Washington Wizards are exploring options on what to do with the 29-year-old star, Beal waived his no-trade clause only for the Suns.

BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are finalizing a trade to send All-Star G Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. Beal’s waiving his no-trade to form a new Big 3 with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Teams are still working thru framework, but Beal is headed to Suns. pic.twitter.com/0lQrSh370q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2023

Future Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul, who has also been the subject of rumors surrounding his future in Phoenix, will be sent to the nation's capital in return alongside Landry Shamet, several second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.

BREAKING: The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps, league sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2023

Phoenix is set to form a new Big 3 featuring homegrown star Devin Booker, one of the game's greatest players in Kevin Durant, and three-time All-Star Beal. The Suns notably acquired another All-Star without giving up their star center DeAndre Ayton.

The blockbuster trade is another big move under the ownership of Mat Ishbia, who famously traded for Kevin Durant a few days after his majority ownership stake purchase of the team was approved last February.

Aside from acquiring big names such as KD and Beal, the franchise also revamped its head coaching post by hiring 2020 NBA champion Frank Vogel to replace Monty Williams.

Family Ties Involved in Bradley Beal to Phoenix Trade

Beal's agent Mark Bartelstein, who brokered the deal, is the father of Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein.

Multiple teams, including the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and Milwaukee Bucks, tried to lure Beal.

Phoenix will take the remaining four years and $207 million of Beal's contract. The three-time All-Star signed a $251 million extension with the Wizards last summer, the second-largest deal in NBA history.