By all accounts, the Phoenix Suns were desperate to move Beal in a deal for Jimmy Butler, but the bulky contracts involved and second-apron restrictions made negotiations difficult. And that was before taking Beal's no-trade clause into account, which allowed him to control his fate.

Beal's no-trade clause, which the Wizards included in his contract back in 2022, proved to be the biggest challenge in Phoenix trying to find Beal a new home.

The expectation is that Beal could change his mind under the right circumstances. Unfortunately for the Suns, though, their two most favorable trade partners are nowhere close to title contention. One of them is presently the worst squad in the league.