It finally happened.
After years of speculation and 695 games with the Wizards—third-most in franchise history—Washington reportedly traded guard Bradley Beal to the Suns Sunday afternoon.
Per reports, the Wizards netted guards Chris Paul and Landry Shamet in the trade, along with an assortment of draft capital.
It was an unceremonious end to Beal’s tenure with Washington, a team that hasn’t won 50 games since 1979. Meanwhile, Phoenix put yet another veteran star around guard Devin Booker mere months after acquiring forward Kevin Durant from the Nets.
Needless to say, reaction from basketball fans around the world was swift and varied.
Many focused on the light package the Wizards received for a three-time All-Star who hasn’t averaged fewer than 20 points per game since 2016.
Suns got Beal for a pink starburst
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 18, 2023
Mat Ishiba checking in with James Jones moments after the Suns acquired Bradley Beal: pic.twitter.com/li1scElv1z
— Evan Dammarell (@AmNotEvan) June 18, 2023
Suns fans rebuked questions about whether the team had become too star-heavy, a common query during their postseason loss to the Nuggets in this past season’s Western Conference semifinals.
I understand questions about their salary cap and depth, but the Suns were about to waive Chris Paul and instead turned him into Bradley Beal. That’s a win. Ayton is 100% getting traded for depth soon
— sreekar (@sreekyshooter) June 18, 2023
Beal’s unique no-trade clause was the subject of discussion—and more than a few jokes.
bradley beal using the wizards no-trade clause against them after a decade of losing pic.twitter.com/gGcLXjjAKX
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) June 18, 2023
Washington fans and writers’ reactions were decidedly mixed.
It’s happening. The Wizards are honest-to-God rebuilding. It took the new trio about four minutes to realize they had to get out of the Beal contract to accomplish anything meaningful.
This is not a drill. The rebuild is on! Loooooooong time coming. https://t.co/uNJJUJrp4n
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 18, 2023
No young players with upside and no 1st round picks in return for Beal.
Just an awful return considering you could’ve gotten a Gobert size return for him only 2 years ago. Asset mismanagement at its finest.
— Wizards Film Room (@KevinFolliNBA) June 18, 2023
Phoenix’s new ownership—led by aggressive owner and former Michigan State guard Mat Ishbia—was also thrust into the spotlight.
Woj said once Sarver was gone that Phoenix would be one of the premier destinations for star players in the league.
We got KD and now Brad Beal. Sarver really held the Suns back from prospering. Best days are ahead now. Inshallah!
— 🇭🇹 (@EasySunnySniper) June 18, 2023
All told, Suns fans and writers were upbeat after yet another blockbuster deal.
A lot of people about to learn how good Bradley Beal is. We did this three years ago with Chris Paul.
Do it twice, if you must.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) June 18, 2023
One thing seems for certain: the first meeting between the Suns and the Wizards figures to be must-see television, if only for the strange sight of Beal playing against his old team.
