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Phoenix Suns insider breaks down Bradley Beal contract buyout<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> coach JJ Redick and Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> coach Ty Lue are on the same wavelength when it comes to Bradley Beal\u2019s time with the Phoenix Suns<\/a>.<\/p>\n In an interview on Shannon Sharpe\u2019s \u201cClub Shay Shay\u201d podcast, Lue believes the new Clippers guard was overshadowed playing alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in Phoenix.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you play for a team like Phoenix like he did the last couple of years, you got Booker and KD and you\u2019re the third option,\u201d Lue said. \u201cPeople like, ‘oh he didn\u2019t.’ He averaged 18 points, shot 50% from the field and 43% from 3.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a> in the summer of 2023.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The three-time All-Star battled injuries and only played 53 games in each of his two seasons in Phoenix.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are unbelievable stats,\u201d Lue continued about Beal. \u201cBut when you\u2019re playing with KD and Book, it kind of gets overshadowed. I think by coming here, I think it\u2019s a fresh start and I think he\u2019s going to be great for us.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Redick gave a similar take on Beal late in the 2024-25 season before the Suns faced the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.<\/p>\n “I’m not sure, from a production standpoint, what more would you ever expect from a third option in the NBA.”<\/p>\n JJ Redick on Suns guard Bradley Beal, who is averaging 17.6 points on 50.6% shooting (39.8% from 3) in 47 games. #Suns<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/H7RGJU4Inr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cI think Brad has taken a lot of heat, from my understanding, from my coaching staff\u2019s understanding,\u201d Redick said as the Lakers defeated the Suns, 107-96.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re a third option, like an ideal third option, you\u2019re someone that scores at an efficient level and he\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Beal will likely be a third option for the Clippers playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s definitely going to be big help for us offensively,\u201d Lue said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to need him to score, but outside of scoring, we\u2019re going to need him to make plays for other guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Beal averaged 4.3 assists in his 13 NBA seasons, reaching a career-high 6.6 in the 2021-22 season with the Wizards.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s gonna draw two or three guys and he can make a pass, he can make a play,\u201d Lue said. \u201cAnd then defensively, he\u2019s always been good. But you gotta challenge him every night. If he\u2019s on bad players, he\u2019s not as good. But when he\u2019s guarding a guy that can play, he\u2019s a really good defender. We need his total all around package.\u201d<\/p>\n Have opinions about the current state of the\u00a0Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at\u00a0dmrankin@gannett.com<\/a>\u00a0or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at\u00a0@DuaneRankin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Support local journalism.\u00a0Start your online subscription<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n