Suns to trade Chris Paul for Bradley Beal from Wizards

The Phoenix Suns have agreed to acquire Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, according to Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein. The trade would involve Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and multiple draft picks going to the Wizards, who may move Paul as part of a larger trade. The Suns have been adding big names to their roster, including Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The Miami Heat also showed interest in Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. Beal is a three-time All-Star and was selected for the All-NBA team in 2020-21, averaging 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. However, he has missed a significant number of games in the past two seasons due to injury. Beal, his agent, and the team had been exploring trades for the past week. Beal has spent his entire 11-year NBA career with the Wizards, who selected him with the third overall pick in the 2012 draft. The Suns lost in the second round of the playoffs and are looking to improve their team, while also wanting to move out of Paul’s expensive contract. Beal will be entering the second season of his contract, set to make $46.7 million in 2023-24. Beal’s true value lies in his offensive skills as one of the league’s premier perimeter shooters. The CEO of the Suns and Phoenix Mercury, Josh Bartelstein, is the son of Beal’s agent. The Wizards missed the playoffs for the past two seasons under coach Wes Unseld Jr. Kristaps Porzingis and Kyle Kuzma have player options for next season they can exercise, with Porzingis having a $36 million player option and Kuzma’s contract set at $13 million if he opts in. Both players must decide by June 21st.