The Milwaukee Bucks have become a highly rumored trade destination for Suns guard Bradley Beal in recent days and, on paper, the fit makes some sense. Milwaukee was interested in Beal before signing Damian Lillard in 2023, and while the two have somewhat redundant skill sets, Beal appears more reliable as a third scorer for Milwaukee than Khris Middleton, who has battled injuries in recent years.
However, according to NBA expert Chris HaynesThe Bucks have not asked about Beal. In fact, “the connection between the two is nonexistent,” Haynes said Wednesday. If Butler is going to come to Phoenix, according to Haynes, it won’t be by sending Beal to Milwaukee.
This poses a serious problem for the Suns, because the salary cap basically requires them to trade Beal if they want to acquire Butler. As a second apron team, they cannot add salary. That means they have to trade one of their three players who earn more than Butler (Beal, Devin Booker or Kevin Durant) in order to acquire him. Booker and Durant are apparently off limits, so someone has to take Beal for a Butler trade to happen.
Even if the Suns can find a catcher, Beal’s no-trade clause means he would have to approve any team that could acquire him. According to his agentMark Bartelstein has not yet been approached to negotiate nor has he agreed to anything.
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On Tuesday, The Athletic called the Bucks “a team worth monitoring” in talks with Butler, but cited another high-paid guard, Zach LaVine, as a possible, expensive addition for Milwaukee. The Bucks are 24-17 on the season and have won four straight games, but they have struggled on the defensive end of the floor since hiring Lillard. Beal and LaVine wouldn’t help on that front, but either of them could solidify the Bucks as an offense dangerous enough to win the championship.
For now, however, it appears the Suns will need to find a new candidate for Beal. With just two weeks left before the deadline and very little known interest, they have their work cut out for them if they plan to land Butler.
