There reportedly will be a new big three in Phoenix
The Phoenix Suns reportedly will keep their championship window open and bolster their already-established superteam with yet another All-Star.
Phoenix is expected to acquire Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards in exchange for a trade package that includes both players and draft capital. Initially it was reported by both ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania the deal would include Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, several second-round draft selections and pick swaps. However, Wojnarowski has since indicated Paul might not land in Washington and a third team could get involved.
That kills two birds with one stone for the Suns in just one trade.
Phoenix upgrades its starting lineup on the one hand, landing a young and elite guard to pair alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. On the other hand, the Suns also don’t need to address the questions spawning from the lack of clarity regarding Paul’s future with the organization.
The Suns were already poised to enter next season among the favorites to raise a banner — in their case, the organization’s first — but adding Beal could prove to be a game-changer.
Beal averaged 23.2 points. 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting a career-best 51% from the field through a 50-game, injury-hampered campaign with Washington, who selected him at No. 3 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Upon completion of the deal, Phoenix will have $163 million committed to Booker, Durant and Beal in the 2023-24 season.