PHOENIX — Everyone around the league knows the Phoenix Suns and Bradley Beal are working toward a buyout of his $110 million contract. Reports have circulated for weeks suggesting that a resolution is close. Yet, no deal has materialized.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!As other NBA teams wait to make their pitch to the three-time All-Star, Phoenix and Beal remain stuck in a holding pattern. So what is causing the delay?
Apr 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Inside the buyout math
The hold up is likely because of Phoenix wanting Beal to give up a significant amount of his salary. The 32-year-old will want his full $110 million salary paid over the next five years, which will equate to around $22 million a year. For the Suns, they need Beal to give up a minimum of $14 million back of his $110 million to get the buyout to work.
Dec 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts to the New Orleans Pelicans win at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The franchise still has Nassir Little $3.1 million salary on the books for the next four seasons, after waiving Little this past August. The max amount of “dead money” a team can have on their salary cap is around $25 million. Beal giving back the $14 million allows them to stretch his massive salary, alongside Little’s dead money.
Without Beal giving up any money, the two sides won’t be able to financial come to a conclusion. The urgency to get the deal done is solely on Phoenix’s side, as Beal’s no-trade clause gives him all the power in the situation. The franchise is stuck on how to move forward from its current position.
Mar 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) passes the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
If the Suns were able to agree on a buyout, with Beal giving back money, it would give them plenty of flexibility under the luxury tax, first and second apron. With this current CBA, a team can’t make any sustainable move without being under those marks. General manager Brian Gregory would be able to combine contracts in a trade for a player making big money, preferably a star.
Regardless, those talks can’t begin without settling Beal’s contract buyout, and with the current pace the two sides are moving at, it’ll be a long offseason.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
