The Phoenix Suns are negotiating a buyout with All-Star guard Bradley Beal, allowing the veteran to enter NBA free agency once an agreement is reached. While he’ll be on the open market, there is already a favorite to sign him.
Appearing on Sactown Sports 1140, senior NBA writer Sam Amick of The Athletic said he expects a resolution on a buyout within the next week, with “all signs pointing” to Beal signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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- Bradley Beal stats (ESPN): 17 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 49.7% FG, 38.6% 3PT
Phoenix had been hoping to trade Beal, at one point discussing a deal with the Miami Heat. It quickly became evident, as it was during the club’s attempts at the NBA trade deadline, that an agreement could not be reached.
With a trade off the table, negotiating a buyout became the Suns’ only avenue to remove Beal from the roster. While the 32-year-old guard is happy in Phoenix, a buyout will still provide him with a significant portion of the remainder of his contract, and he will get to play for a team of his choosing next season.
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- Bradley Beal contract (Spotrac): $53.67 million (2025-26), $52.1 million player option in ’26
Amid reports of the two sides negotiating a buyout, the Heat, Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks emerged as top suitors for Beal. However, Miami acquired guard Norman Powell from the Clippers, taking out one top suitor.
Beal would immediately slide into the Clippers’ starting backcourt alongside James Harden. While Los Angeles can only offer Beal a $5.3 million salary for the 2025-26 season, the majority of what he makes will be paid by Phoenix.
