Just like in the past few seasons, Bradley Beal's name is once again swirling in trade rumors, and it’s no surprise that the Milwaukee Bucks are once again being linked to the Phoenix Suns star.
There's no denying there's at least some merit in a deal. Beal is a proven scorer, capable of averaging over 20 points per game in his sleep, and he would undoubtedly bolster Milwaukee's offense, which is currently ranked just 12th in the association. Yet, the crux of the matter is and should be that taking on his massive contract without the Suns attaching some draft capital is a gamble the Bucks cannot afford to make.
Beal’s contract is daunting, to say the least. He’s set to earn approximately $50 million annually over the next two seasons, a figure that climbs even higher if you include his player option for 2026-27. Committing to that kind of money ties up significant financial flexibility, particularly for a team already paying hefty salaries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Bradley Beal's contract brings a short-term fix but long-term problems
Acquiring Beal would mean sacrificing what little depth they already have and taking a major risk on a player who has struggled with injuries. Over the last three seasons, Beal has played in only 63, 57 and 50 games. That’s a lot of missed time for someone who would command such a large chunk of Milwaukee’s cap space.
This is where the Suns’ side of the deal becomes critical. If Phoenix is serious about unloading Beal’s contract, they need to sweeten the pot. Draft picks—or even pick swaps—are essential in this scenario to make it worth Milwaukee's while. Otherwise, for this writer, the Milwaukee Bucks are better off keeping Khris Middleton and seeing how much he can get back to his old self.
The Bucks’ asset cupboard is already limited after the Jae Crowder and Damian Lillard trades of yesteryear, leaving them with little to no room to maneuver if the Beal experiment doesn’t work out. Acquiring some form of draft compensation would provide a safety net, whether for future trades or a potential rebuild down the line.
It's worth pointing out that the Suns are now one of the few teams in the league with draft flexibility intact after they landed three more first-rounders this week, making it entirely reasonable to ask for assets in return. Milwaukee should insist on protections or swaps that mitigate the risks of taking on Beal's enormous deal.
Taking on Beal without draft capital would saddle the Bucks with a "Big 3" earning nearly $150 million combined annually, with very little wiggle room to fill out the rest of the roster. Such a move could also alienate Giannis, who has been vocal about his desire to compete for titles year after year and has a well-documented close relationship with Middleton, who they will most likely have to part ways with. A top-heavy roster with no depth or future assets to retool would be a hard sell for the two-time MVP.
Also, Beal’s fit alongside Giannis and Lillard isn’t without questions. While Beal is a prolific scorer, he’s most effective with the ball in his hands. That could lead to redundancy in Milwaukee’s offense, which is already built around two ball-dominant superstars.
Milwaukee’s front office doesn’t need to look far to see the pitfalls of an all-in gamble gone wrong. Their decision to acquire Jrue Holiday paid off in a championship, but subsequent trades have yielded diminishing returns. Another short-sighted move could set the franchise back for years.
Trading for Bradley Beal might be tempting, especially if the Suns are looking to cut ties. But the Bucks should only pull the trigger under one strict condition: Phoenix must attach meaningful draft capital to the deal. Without that, the risks far outweigh the potential rewards. Milwaukee can’t afford to take on Beal’s colossal contract without some form of a safety net. For now, the Bucks are better off holding onto their limited assets and exploring other options to strengthen their roster.
If the Suns want to move Beal, it’s on them to present a fair deal. Otherwise, the Bucks should steer clear of a deal that could compromise their future for the sake of an uncertain present. Perhaps there are better choices to make internally.
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