Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal and his agent have not discussed waiving his no-trade clause in order to help facilitate a deal for Jimmy Butler, agent Mark Bartelstein told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“There have been no discussions about trades with the Suns or any other team,” Bartelstein told Windhorst. “Bradley’s total focus is on helping the Suns turn things around.”
As we wrote on Monday, Beal has been at the center of trade rumors in the wake of the reported mutual interest between the Suns and Butler, who requested a trade from the Miami Heat last week. Butler has reportedly informed the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks not to trade for him, and it appears more like he is trying to navigate his way to Phoenix. The Suns are believed to be willing to give the 35-year-old Butler the max contract he is seeking.
Bradley Beal and the Suns have not discussed waiving his no-trade clause in a Jimmy Butler deal.
Because of Phoenix’s position in the luxury tax, the only functional way for them to acquire Butler is to trade Beal. As a team above the second apron, the Suns cannot take back more salary, or aggregate salary, in a trade. That means they can only trade a single player making more than Butler’s $48.7 million this season. That includes Durant ($51.1 million), Beal ($50.2 million) and Booker ($49.2 million). The Suns have no plans to trade Duran or Booker. That leaves Beal.
Because Beal has a no-trade clause, he can essentially veto any deal. Bartelstein told ESPN that Beal will not give up the no-trade clause but left the door open for Beal to accept a move to another team.
“Bartelstein did not rule out possibly of waiving the clause for an approved deal, as Beal did in 2023 when he was traded to the Suns, if a ‘perfect’ situation came up. But that action is not currently under consideration, Bartelstein reiterated.”
The Heat have no interest in acquiring Beal and his contract. Beal is 31, owed $110 million over the next two seasons, and could retain his no-trade clause after a deal. The Suns and Heat are reportedly working to find a third team to take Beal’s contract.
Phoenix’s decision to bench Beal this week is seen by league insiders as a ploy to convince Beal to accept a trade to a new team.
Any Butler for Beal trade would require a third team taking on Beal’s contract while sending other assets to Miami. The Heat are prioritizing cap flexibility in a deal, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Finding a third team that would be willing to add Beal – and also send Miami short-term contracts – is difficult.
“There is no traction on anything,” Windhorst on Wednesday morning told ESPN Radio. “The Heat have had discussions with a handful of teams. There's no offer that the Heat have progressed on. The Heat and Jimmy Butler are staring down the reality of him returning and having to play for the Heat when his suspension ends.”