It seems the Phoenix Suns are facing some troubles in trading the likes of Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic. Injuries, declining performances, or brawls leading to suspensions, something or the other impeded these two’s trades in the past month. And now, Suns’ head coach, Mike Budenholzer made an interesting revelation regarding Jusuf Nurkic and why he didn’t play in Phoenix’s victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Here’s some context if you’re unaware. Earlier, reports emerged of the Suns looking to actively trade Jusuf Nurkic. However, few teams were interested in the Bosnian. After all, you’d want more than 8 points a game from a player on a $70 million contract. Bud had an interesting response when a reporter asked what broke the camel’s back for Nurkic to get benched, though.

“I wouldn’t put it in those kind of drastic terms,” he said. “It’s a long season. He didn’t play a couple of games and now he’s been sick. He’s home reconditioning. We’ll see how he comes through when we go back. We all got to find a way to be better defensively, be better offensively. The whole group,” finished the Suns head coach.

Nurkic was thought to be in the proverbial dog house after he received a 3-game suspension for a brawl on court. However, Nurkic may just be missing the action due to being ill if coach Budenholzer is to be believed. Though we’d take that with a pinch of salt.

While Nurkic may be part of Bud’s plans moving forward, the same may also be true for Bradley Beal. Reports have suggested that there have been developments in his trade saga, specifically relating to his no-trade clause.

Bradley Beal’s trade saga takes an unexpected turn

Bradley Beal is the talk of the town as one of the most sought-after trade prospects ahead of the trade deadline on February 6. However, one unanswered question that remains on everyone’s head is what’s going to happen with his no-trade clause.

Recently, multiple reports have emerged that state that Beal is bypassing the no-trade provision for certain teams. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Lakers were the ones most linked with the veteran guard. However, Bradley’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, has come out to quash these rumors about his client.

Bartelstein asserted that the reports were “created out of thin air”, in an interview with Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic. “Brad’s entire focus has been and is on getting healthy with his ankle and helping turn things around for the Suns,” said Bartelstein.

Moreover, NBA insider Chris Hayne reported that the Bucks, one of the teams linked with Beal are not interested in a trade.  “It was explained to me that a connection between the two is non-existent.” This was what Haynes said, quashing the rumors linking them to each other.

So it seems neither Bradley Beal nor Jusuf Nurkic are preparing for a future away from Phoenix. However, trade rumors involving the two continue to heat up. So, the days leading up to February 6 will be nerve-wracking for Suns fans.