The Phoenix Suns' reported consideration of waiving and stretching Bradley Beal's contract faces significant obstacles due to previous roster moves and collective bargaining agreement limitations. The Suns would need Beal to surrender $13.8 million to execute the plan.
Local reports suggested Phoenix might waive-and-stretch Beal's remaining $110 million contract to avoid the second apron threshold. The move would spread his cap hit to approximately $22 million annually over five years instead of two.
The collective bargaining agreement limits stretched money to 15 percent of each season's salary cap. With the 2025-26 cap projected at $154.6 million, Beal's stretched amount would consume 14.3 percent alone.
Phoenix's August 2024 decisions to waive and stretch Nassir Little and E.J. Liddell now complicate the Beal scenario. The two players will cost the Suns $3.8 million in dead money during 2025-26.
Combined with Beal's hypothetical stretched money, Phoenix would exceed the 15 percent threshold by $2.7 million annually. This forces the Suns to require Beal's cooperation in reducing his contract value.
League executives estimate Beal's free agent value near the mid-level exception, starting at $14.1 million for 2025-26. However, sources indicate Beal prefers stability for his family situation.
The financial gap between his current deal and market value creates an unlikely scenario for voluntary contract reduction. Beal would need to surrender significant guaranteed money with uncertain compensation prospects.
Phoenix previously struggled to find trade partners willing to absorb Beal's contract. The waive-and-stretch option appears equally challenging without major concessions from the veteran guard.
