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Phoenix Suns insider breaks down Bradley Beal contract buyout

The Suns bought out guard Bradley Beal’s contract, ending his time in Phoenix. The Republic’s Duane Rankin explains what it means for the team.

Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick and Los Angeles Clippers coach Ty Lue are on the same wavelength when it comes to Bradley Beal’s time with the Phoenix Suns.

In an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast, Lue believes the new Clippers guard was overshadowed playing alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix.

“When you play for a team like Phoenix like he did the last couple of years, you got Booker and KD and you’re the third option,” Lue said. “People like, ‘oh he didn’t.’ He averaged 18 points, shot 50% from the field and 43% from 3.”

Beal averaged 17.6 points, shooting 50.5% from the field and 40.7% from 3 in his two seasons with the Suns, who traded Chris Paul in acquiring him from the Washington Wizards in the summer of 2023.

The three-time All-Star battled injuries and only played 53 games in each of his two seasons in Phoenix.

“Those are unbelievable stats,” Lue continued about Beal. “But when you’re playing with KD and Book, it kind of gets overshadowed. I think by coming here, I think it’s a fresh start and I think he’s going to be great for us.”

Beal finished the 2024-25 season averaging 17 points on 49.7% shooting (38.6% from 3) in 53 games. The Suns ended up buying out Beal, who later signed with the Clippers.

Redick gave a similar take on Beal late in the 2024-25 season before the Suns faced the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.

“I think Brad has taken a lot of heat, from my understanding, from my coaching staff’s understanding,” Redick said as the Lakers defeated the Suns, 107-96.

“When you’re a third option, like an ideal third option, you’re someone that scores at an efficient level and he’s averaging 18 on 50/40/80 something splits. I’m not sure, from a production standpoint, what more would you ever expect from a third option in the NBA.”

Beal will likely be a third option for the Clippers playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

“He’s definitely going to be big help for us offensively,” Lue said. “We’re going to need him to score, but outside of scoring, we’re going to need him to make plays for other guys.”

Beal averaged 4.3 assists in his 13 NBA seasons, reaching a career-high 6.6 in the 2021-22 season with the Wizards.

“He’s gonna draw two or three guys and he can make a pass, he can make a play,” Lue said. “And then defensively, he’s always been good. But you gotta challenge him every night. If he’s on bad players, he’s not as good. But when he’s guarding a guy that can play, he’s a really good defender. We need his total all around package.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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