Breaking New: 3 reasons the Phoenix Suns were right to trade for Bradley Beal
The presence of Bradley Beal on the Phoenix Suns’ roster for more than half of the season underscores the wisdom of acquiring him through a trade. With the Suns having played well over half of their regular season games, their 34-24 record accurately reflects their current standing as a team. They display moments of offensive brilliance, capable of dominating opponents.
However, there are instances where players like Grayson Allen and recently acquired Royce O’Neale fail to perform consistently, leaving the team’s trio of superstars without sufficient support against tougher opponents. Despite this, their defensive performance has exceeded expectations, largely credited to head coach Frank Vogel’s ability to maximize the contributions of players like Jusuf Nurkic at center.
Then there is Bradley Beal, who at this point in the season has emerged as undoubtedly the Suns’ x-factor the rest of the way.
“This presents a mixed scenario, as Beal’s participation has been limited to just 30 games this season, which is concerning. Furthermore, he has faced three distinct setbacks, with initial back troubles posing the greatest challenge, followed by an ankle sprain and a hamstring issue, from which he is expected to recover soon.
Nevertheless, despite these setbacks, acquiring Beal last summer was still a prudent move for the Suns. While his current game count is modest, the trio of Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant on the team holds immense championship potential, indicating that the decision to bring him on board was justified.”
3. He was the best available option
“Reflecting on the distant memory of last summer, it’s evident that Chris Paul held the reins as the Suns’ starting point guard. While his contribution was pivotal in revitalizing the franchise and propelling them towards contention, it became apparent that it was time for a change.
Due to Paul’s hefty contract and Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause, the stars aligned, enabling the Suns to orchestrate a significant trade. In exchange for Paul, they acquired a seasoned multiple-time All-Star in his prime at the age of 30. Subsequently, he was swiftly waived by the Washington Wizards and found a new home with the Golden State Warriors.”
Bradley Beal getting shots up at practice today pic.twitter.com/72EasSsY0T
— Amanda_Pflugrad (@Amanda_Pflugrad) February 27, 2024
“He is presently sidelined due to wrist surgery, a recurring occurrence for him at this stage of his career, which negates any comparison of injury issues between him and Beal. It’s worth noting that amidst all of this, the Suns also acquired Jordan Goodwin in the deal, whom they later traded alongside other players and picks to acquire O’Neale and Roddy at the deadline.
Had Beal not joined the team, we wouldn’t have had Booker as a full-time point guard either. This has proven to be a game-changer for the Suns, with Booker showcasing his highest career average of seven assists per game alongside scoring 27.5 points per night. The synergy in the backcourt is undeniable, with Beal playing as significant a role as Booker.”
2. He completes the team offensively
It is undeniable that Beal was brought in to bolster the Suns’ offensive capabilities, and he has fulfilled that role admirably when he’s been able to play. The team has posted a 19-11 record with him on the court, and his three-point shooting at 36.3 percent has been satisfactory. Despite scoring 18.2 points per game, his lowest since 2015-16, this isn’t necessarily a negative.
This demonstrates Beal’s willingness to embrace being the third offensive option behind Durant and Booker. Additionally, his 4.5 assists per game slightly exceed his career average. What’s most significant, however, is the impact he’s had on the team’s offensive performance when examining various Suns’ player combinations and their offensive ratings.
The trio of Beal, Durant, and Nurkic boasts an offensive rating of 125.4 over 446 minutes played. Interestingly, Beal, Durant, and Booker have achieved the exact same rating in slightly fewer minutes together, shedding light on two significant points. Firstly, it highlights the underappreciated contribution of Nurkic, emphasizing his crucial role within the starting lineup. Secondly, it demonstrates Beal’s ability to thrive alongside a variety of teammates.
Beal’s adaptability, whether as the primary scoring option or facilitating playmaker, validates the Suns’ decision to acquire him. Once he achieves full fitness and a consistent run of games, the team is poised to benefit significantly. The initial belief that Beal could elevate the Suns to an elite offensive level is now supported by concrete statistical evidence.
1. He’s a top three third option in the league
In recent years, the NBA has moved away from relying on “Big 3s,” with top teams instead favoring two superstars accompanied by a deeper supporting roster. While the Suns are not quite aligned with this trend yet, they’re striving to strike a balance with three standout players in Nurkic, Allen, O’Neale, and Eric Gordon, surrounded by a solid supporting cast.
There was a time when Beal was arguably the premier third option across the league. However, when considering options like Austin Reaves, Khris Middleton, Derrick White, or Kristaps Porzingis, the latter two might seem more fitting, especially given their potential synergy with the Boston Celtics.
Beal, at 30, remains a star player, but currently trails behind James Harden in performance. While earlier in the season, Beal may have held the edge, his transition to the L.A. Clippers as their third option has been remarkably successful, leading to Harden now assuming this role. Harden’s postseason shortcomings are well-known, contrasting with Beal’s relatively limited exposure to big-stage games.
Nevertheless, Beal’s presence on the Suns, particularly in anticipation of a playoff showdown against the Clippers, holds significant value. He possesses the ideal skill set to match up against Harden and potentially outshine his offensive contributions thus far. His caliber exceeds the role he’s been assigned with the Suns, making his acquisition a major coup for the team, especially considering their financial constraints.