By Adeniyi Precious 
Bradley Beal’s contract is often called one of the worst in the NBA, but that didn’t stop two teams from considering taking him on: the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Suns tried hard to move Beal, hoping the Wizards or Hawks would bite. Phoenix spent weeks trying to sweeten the deal, but in the end, nothing came of it.
Beal, now 31, has had an impressive career—12 years in the NBA, multiple All-Star nods, and a reputation as a lethal shooter. He spent 11 seasons with the Wizards before heading to Phoenix in 2023.
Now, his future with the Suns is uncertain. The team has its eyes on Jimmy Butler, and owner Mat Ishbia is reportedly pushing hard to make it happen. But Beal has a no-trade clause, meaning he controls where (or if) he moves. The Suns tried to convince him to approve a trade to the Miami Heat, but Beal wasn’t interested.
Had he returned to Washington, it would have been a great story. He was the face of the franchise for years, and going back would have let him mentor the young guys. In Atlanta, he could have formed an elite backcourt with Trae Young, though they wouldn’t have been serious title contenders.
For now, Beal stays in Phoenix—but his future is still up in the air. If the Suns don’t start winning consistently, expect major shakeups, and Beal could be the one taking the fall. With three years and $160 million left on his deal, he still holds all the power. While a return to Washington isn’t happening now, it might be an option later in his career.