The Phoenix Suns’ 2024-25 season has begun with all the drama of a hostage situation, and the one scenario we dreaded most has become our reality. The Suns are the Nakatomi Tower, and Bradley Beal? He’s Hans Gruber,

Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones will face their former team, the Washington Wizards, on Thursday at Capital One Arena. “It’s always fun, second home,” said Beal, who scored 15,391 points for the Wizards, second only to Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes with 15,551.

Beal essentially holds the keys to a massive trade that would net the Suns the talents of Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler. Beal owns a no-trade clause and without his full agreement on a deal, one of the biggest trades in recent league history can't go down.

The trouble with including Beal is that he has a no-trade clause. He can therefore veto any trade the Suns present him with, and despite reports to the contrary, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic that Beal has not agreed to head to any specific teams in a possible deal.

For the game, the Suns could be without one of their best players, as Bradley Beal is on the injury report. Beal is averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 48.

When the Phoenix Suns moved their 2031 draft pick for three first-round picks from the Utah Jazz, it was clear they wanted to pursue Jimmy Butler. However, Suns guard Bradley Beal is the piece preventing the organization from making a move.