Suns seek third team to land Butler, Beal has no trade clause

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CHARLOTTE — Phoenix Suns Star guard Bradley Beal did not address whether his removal from the starting lineup is tied to trade talks after his 25-point performance in Monday night’s win at Philadelphia to snap a four-game skid.

“If that’s the case, I should be indicted because I have the cards,” said Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. “Until I’m prosecuted and someone says otherwise, I’ll be a sun.”

Sources informed the Republic this week that the Suns (16-18) are looking for a third team to move Beal and land Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

The Heat suspended Butler for seven games last week “for numerous instances of conduct that was detrimental to the team throughout the season and particularly over the past several weeks. Through his actions and statements, he has demonstrated that he no longer wishes to be a part of this team.”

The Heat concluded their statement by saying, “Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated they wish to be traded, so we will listen to offers.”

The Republic reported last month that the Suns were looking to move center Jusuf Nurkic. The 7-footer was also benched for Monday’s game.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer explained why Beal and Nurkic were removed from the starting lineup before Monday’s game. Rookie Ryan Dunn and veteran center Mason Plumlee started in their place.

“We just feel like we had to make a change,” Budenholzer said during Monday’s pregame. “During a 48-minute game, you have to figure out your best combinations, your best ways to try to be successful. They’re two important players for us, two very good players for us. We just felt we had to make a change.”

Beal and Nurkic were the first Suns’ players to enter the game off the bench Monday.

A three-time All-Star, Beal hadn’t been a reserve since his fourth NBA season in 2015-16. Beal had started all 524 games he played from the 2016-17 season through this season before coming off the bench Monday.

“I’m a starter in the league,” Beal said as he shot 3-of-6 from 3 and played 30 minutes Monday. “I firmly believe that. No disrespect to anybody, but I’m a starter and that’s what I’m convinced of, but the coach made his decision. I’m not going to sit there and argue with him. I’m not going to sit here and be a distraction. I don’t want to sit here and be a hole. He made his decision.”

Beal was surprised by the benching, noting that he was given no indication of the decision.

“A little tough, I’m not going to lie, but coach made his decision,” Beal said when asked about the previous 48 hours. “You live with it. You either screw with it or do something about it, go out and compete, do what I do.”

Before Monday’s game, Budenholzer said he has daily conversations with Suns team owner Mat Ishbia, general manager James Jones and CEO Josh Bartelstein and Ishbia about “everything,” when asked about the discussions surrounding this decision to bench Beal and Nurkic.

Jones attended Monday’s game.

“Can’t deny or hide the importance of trying to find out how we can help our team and this move, again, finding combinations throughout the 48 minutes that can help us be successful,” Budenholzer said. “All those guys, we’re kind of in this together, as are the players. We’re all in it together. We’re all trying to figure out our best way to be our best. It’s been a good, healthy conversation.”

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Tuesday on ESPN’s First Take the Suns benching Beal to make him feel “unwelcome” to the point of waiving the no-trade clause.

“I know there were schematic reasons they did it and Mike Budenholzer tried to explain, but they’re basically trying to make him feel unwelcome in Phoenix so he’ll waive the no-trade clause. The player they want to trade him for is Jimmy Butler, but the Heat don’t want Bradley Beal. So the only way for the Suns to get Jimmy Butler is to find a third team.”

Dunn scored 15 points and went 3-of-6 from 3 in his 14th start of the season as the Suns have been plagued by injuries this season.

“I knew when it was announced and everything, my first thought process was him,” Beal said. “He has thrown into the fire and mixed everything. He doesn’t really get to enjoy starting as a young rookie in the league. It’s big. Everyone is so caught up in my s— and what’s going on.”

Nurkic posted five points and seven rebounds in just 14 minutes as the Suns continue to play three big men in rookie Oso Ighodaro, Plumlee and Nurkic, who hasn’t come off the bench since his third NBA season in 2016-17.

“All three guys were good,” Budenholzer said. “I thought Nurkic was really good in his minutes. Then we kind of caught a rhythm with Oso in the fourth quarter and stuck with him. Mason starts. We are lucky to have three 5s that we really believe in. We needed all of them (Monday).”

Ighodaro finished the game with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Beal and Dunn. After playing the entire fourth quarter, Marquette’s sophomore had four points and three assists in the game’s final 12 minutes.

He found Durant for a corner 3 that put Phoenix up, 104-90, with 3:08 left in the game.

Ighodaro finished the game with eight points, six rebounds and three assists.

Plumlee started the game, but he and starting point guard Tyus Jones did not play in the fourth quarter. Plumlee posted two points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 13 minutes.

Jones and Ighodaro returned after missing Saturday’s loss at Indiana due to an illness. Jones played 20 minutes and scored just five points and added two assists.

Booker led the Suns in assists with 10 to go along with 10 points on 3-of-16 shooting. Durant scored 23 points and went 3-of-4 from 3.

Do you have opinions about the current state of the sun? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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