Another Big Star Departs the Phoenix Suns

After the departure of star Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, another key Phoenix Suns player, Bradley Beal, is set to join the Los Angeles Clippers following a mutual contract termination between him and the team in the NBA.

Beal (32), who was the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, joined the Phoenix Suns in 2023. However, he struggled over the past two seasons due to numerous injuries, which hastened his exit.

According to American media sources, Beal—who is a three-time NBA All-Star—is planning to sign a two-year contract worth $11 million with the Clippers, where he will join fellow stars Kawhi Leonard, Brook Lopez, and James Harden.

Beal’s departure marks another chapter in the sweeping changes happening within the Phoenix Suns organization, as the team looks to rebuild its roster. Last season, the Suns had the league’s most expensive roster but finished with a record of 36 wins and 46 losses, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

Beal struggled with injuries during his time in Phoenix, playing just 53 games in each of his two seasons. Last season, he averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game—his lowest scoring average since the 2014–2015 season.

With Durant’s move to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team trade earlier this month, Beal’s exit, and the firing of head coach Mike Budenholzer in April—who was replaced last month by Jordan Ott, formerly an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers—it’s clear that Phoenix is entering a major rebuilding phase, looking to build a new core around their star Devin Booker.

Booker recently agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $145 million—a record-setting deal in NBA history. Under the new agreement, Booker will earn $72.5 million per year, making him the highest-paid player annually in NBA history. The extension keeps him with the Suns through the 2029–2030 season.

Booker’s new salary surpasses that of Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recently signed a four-year extension worth $285 million, averaging $71.25 million annually.

The agreement with Booker was finalized during a private meeting with Suns owner Mat Ishbia in Las Vegas, where the final details of the extension were settled. This brought the total value of Booker’s contract to $316 million over five years.

This extension reaffirms Booker’s status as one of the franchise’s most important players. After years of standout performances—including leading Phoenix to the NBA Finals in 2021—he remains a central part of the team’s future plans, especially as they aim for their first championship title.

Booker (27) is considered one of the top players of his generation and has maintained a strong scoring output, averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.

With blockbuster moves like Beal to the Clippers and Booker’s historic extension, NBA action is heating up fast. Betway is the best online betting site in UAE to follow every twist with top odds and trusted coverage.