Overview

• The Suns and Beal are close to finalizing a stretch buyout that would waive him and stretch his remaining salary over multiple seasons.
• Beal’s five-year, $251 million deal includes a full no-trade clause that blocked earlier trade attempts.
• Once the buyout clears, he will become an unrestricted free agent with the Miami Heat viewed as his top destination.
• The Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Warriors and Bucks are also preparing offers that could reshape their backcourt rotations.
• Phoenix plans to use the cap relief from the buyout to reduce luxury-tax obligations and accelerate a youth-driven roster rebuild.