Bradley Beal has been benched for the first time since 2016. Things between him and the Suns don’t look good. “If I’m Bradley Beal, you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to be petty back at ’em!” this is what Charles Barkley said he’d do. The Suns had to make the harsh decision after losing four in a row.

The Phoenix side could’ve kicked off the season with the 3x All-Star coming off the bench. Wild, right? It’s not as crazy as it sounds, especially with Tyus Jones stepping in as their new point guard. And here’s the kicker—on Monday, Beal didn’t hold back, reminding a reporter that his no-trade clause keeps him in the driver’s seat.

But it looks like being petty isn’t him. Beal then shifts to the sixth-man spot and immediately makes an impact. His debut? Solid. He handles the transition like a seasoned pro, which deserves serious props. And now Ryan Dunn, the Suns’ rookie has doled out some information about his locker room demeanor.

Dunn shared heartfelt praise for Beal, describing him as more than just a teammate. “Brad’s called more of a brother to me,” Dunn said, subtly revealing the close bond they share. “He told me kind of the same to stay in control. I can control. Don’t listen to anything, he’s going to play, do your thing. Uh, he’s got my back, and I got head and I appreciate him so much for that,” said Dunn.

While Dunn might’ve tried to be subtle with his next response, we’ve figured something interesting, as Dunn added, “He’s (Bradley) a great teammate. He’s a great person off the floor. I appreciate him wherever he’s at. He cares for others, no matter who’s playing.”

This speaks volumes about Beal’s selflessness and genuine desire to see his teammates succeed, both on and off the court. But while he may be professional in handling this viral trade situation, will he stay at the Suns?

It looks like Miami isn’t Bradley Beal’s next destination

Jimmy Butler’s clear desire to leave the Miami Heat is shaking things up, but where will he land next? Recently, the Phoenix Suns have emerged as the frontrunner. With Butler joining forces with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, it’d make for an exciting contender on paper, right? But it’s not that simple.

For one, the Suns would need to craft a deal that works for the Heat, and chances are Beal would be part of it. Here’s the hitch: Miami isn’t sold on Beal! According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Heat has no interest in taking on the guy’s massive $110 million bumper contract. If Phoenix wants to get Butler, they’ll need to find a third team to make this work.

Sam Amick from The Athletic also weighed in, stating, “In recent days, Butler’s desire to make his way to the Phoenix Suns has been crystallized all around the league. But with the Heat known to be against adding Suns guard Bradley Beal and his massive contract, and Butler clearly of the belief that a max deal might be waiting for him in the desert, the key question now is whether Phoenix can find a third team that is so appealing to Beal that he’ll waive his no-trade clause and bring this latest star player saga to an end.”

It makes sense why Miami might not want Beal—injuries have plagued him, and his play has dropped since joining Phoenix. Now it’s on the Suns to figure out a solution. The Heat isn’t rushing into this one.

If you were in Jimmy’s shoes, what would you have done?