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When Jordan Ott was hired as head coach of the Phoenix Suns this offseason, he met with Bradley Beal to present him with some ideas on how he could be used during the upcoming season. Beal's usage rate dropped last season under Mike Budenholzer and he was moved to a bench role. Beal averaged 17 points per game and remained an efficient scorer, but his production no longer matched his salary of $113 million over the next two seasons.

Beal decided he needed to move on from the Suns this offseason if the opportunity was presented.

"We couldn't take the chance [of another lost year]," Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN. "This decision was about basketball. Bradley wants to play in big games and in big moments."

The Suns further complicated Beal's future with the team when they acquired Jalen Green as part of their return for Kevin Durant. The Suns also held talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a deal built around Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo and Terrence Shannon Jr., which could have allowed Phoenix to prioritize keeping Beal.

Shortly after the Suns moved forward with the Durant trade with the Rockets, they granted permission to Beal and Bartelstein to engage with other teams about a deal following his buyout. 

James Harden was critical in recruiting Beal to the Los Angeles Clippers, even speaking directly with Bartelstein. Harden discussed the Clippers' depth and also how the franchise embraced him following his own disappointing tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Suns tried to get Beal to leave more money on the table than the $13.9 million required to waive-and-stretch his contract. Sources tell ESPN that the negotiations got heated, but Beal ultimately didn't give up a penny more than what was required for the stretch provision to be used.

"There were some intense conversations," Mark Bartelstein said.

Via Brian Windhorst/ESPN

His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

donemilio21 wrote:His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

They thought booker could transition to full time PG

donemilio21 wrote:His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

100%. Even in WAS, Beal was a $25m player on a $50m contract. Now he's on a $6m contract and playing next to one of the NBA's best set-up men. Beal is going to get some looks this season and people that think he's washed are going to be a bit surprised... unless he's hurt all season.

Thechicagorilla wrote:

donemilio21 wrote:His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

They thought booker could transition to full time PG

They actually thought Beal and Booker could share the PG duties, and when that failed they brought in Tyus Jones to run the offense. Unfortunately they ran very little offense other that "your-turn my-turn" between Booker and KD with Beal the odd man out and Tyus wondering why the brought him in.

Harden recruited Beals agent

Beal got the max amount allowed while being bought out

The Suns and Bucks are paying for 5 years to have the players they are paying compete against them

LakersLegacy wrote:Harden recruited Beals agent

Beal got the max amount allowed while being bought out

The Suns and Bucks are paying for 5 years to have the players they are paying compete against them

Made sense for MIL but not for PHX.

SO he signs with a team whose best player plays his same position once more...

donemilio21 wrote:His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

my problem with him was never accepting the contract. every sane person would would take it, its a no brainer.

my issue with beal is, he doesnt realize when its time to move on. hes sitting on that NTC and refuses all coorperation like a pre-teen. he doesnt seem to care a lot about basketball at this point.

even now... he acts like he decided to leave, when in reality everybody told him, we dont want you anymore... please work with us or we gonna have to waive you. phx was ready to pay extra to get his sorry ass outta there. only then he seems to realize that party is over.

i cant take this dude serious anymore. hes just in the league to collect checks, which is fair but dont expect me to respect you as a player

He's PG part 2. Got paid, but mentally can't handle winning

donemilio21 wrote:His production and talent never matched his salary, neither in Phoenix nor in Washington. You can't blame him for taking the deal when Wizards offered it to him. Suns taking on that contract while giving up assets (six 2nd rounder picks and bucnh more pick swaps) when they already had Booker to play SG was mind blowing at the time.

100% agree.
Beal is not a high level NBA player.

If anyone is to blame for a "lost season" here, it's you, Brad. Don't try to spin it in any other direction as you're directly responsible for your own health and seeing you can't seemingly play more than 50 games in a season, what's the good in having you on the roster?

The Clippers are about to find out and have a lost season with you as a part of it, too.

Rebound Mound wrote:SO he signs with a team whose best player plays his same position once more...

Harden hasn’t played sg in years