NBA trade season is heating up and Byron Scott believes Bradley Beal will be on a new team before the deadline hits on February 6. The University of Florida alum’s production has dropped, and he has been demoted to a spot on the Phoenix Suns bench. With Jimmy Butler’s unrest in Miami growing every passing day, Scott felt it’s only a matter of time before Beal finds a new home.
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The Suns’ decision to move Beal to the bench may be the first step in the franchise preparing for life without him, claimed Scott.
“Something happening there. Something happening in Phoenix man. Bradley Beal’s gonna be on the move,” said the Lakers legend.
It’s been a tremendously disappointing season so far for Beal and the Suns. With a 19-19 record, they are currently in a tie for 10th in the Western Conference. Phoenix raced out to a 9-1 start but has been in a tailspin ever since.
Beal appears to be the scapegoat for their troubles as he was benched about a week ago in an attempt to shake things up. On the surface, the move is working.
The shooting guard is still averaging well over 30 minutes per game despite not starting, and the Suns have gone 4-1 since the move. However, it should be noted that those wins came against the Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, and the Charlotte Hornets, all of whom have records at .500 or below.
Beal’s name has been in the trade rumor mill for weeks now. He’s been heavily rumored to be the centerpiece of a Butler deal with the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, Scott also spoke about a rumor that would see him come to the Lakers for a package involving Austin Reaves.
Scott expressed respect for Beal’s game, saying, “Bradley’s a very very talented offensive player, there’s no doubt about that”. But he also added the Lakers shouldn’t even think about making that deal.
Any deal for Beal would see Reaves go the other way. And stats show that the 4th year guard has far outperformed Beal.
Additionally, Reaves is on a team-friendly deal. If the trade happens, the Lakers would forsake Reaves’ $12 million a year for Beal’s $50 million a year package.
It seems almost certain that Beal would move soon
If the Suns can’t convince the Lakers to let Reaves go, they may not have many options on the table with Beal. Except trading him for Butler that is. And even that comes with the caveat that Beal would have to waive his no-trade clause.
As of last week at least, Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein said that there had been no discussions about waiving the no-trade. “Bradley’s total focus is on helping the Suns turn things around,” he had said.
Butler is in the midst of serving a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. People around the league have speculated that the Suns may be the only possible landing spot for him due to the Suns’ desire to get out of Beal’s contract. There is also a rumored interest by Kevin Durant to pair up with Butler in Phoenix.
