Student Commentary
Published on July 10, 2023

Suns acquire All-Star guard Bradley Beal from Washington Wizards


Diana Hymowitz is a student at Temple University Beasley School of Law. She is a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society and serves as a Sports Law Research Assistant. She has previously worked for the Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Major League Baseball, The University of Pennsylvania Football Team, Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s Wizards G-League Affiliate, and University at Albany Football Team. Twitter: @DianaHy17

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The Phoenix Suns have acquired Bradley Beal, Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd from the Washington Wizards in a three-team deal that also involved the Indiana Pacers. The Suns sent Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, five future second-round picks, four future pick swaps and cash considerations to Washington as well as one future second-round pick to Indiana. Washington also sent a future second-round pick to Indiana while swapping draft rights to their lottery picks in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Almost as interesting as the blockbuster trade itself is Beal’s rare contract detail – the no-trade clause. According to The Athletic, Beal is one of ten players in NBA history whose contract includes a true no-trade clause. The other nine include David Robinson, John Stockton, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Carmelo Anthony.

So, what exactly is a no-trade clause and how does it work? A player with a no-trade clause in their contract has the right to veto any trade in which he is involved. Essentially, it is a contractual stipulation that gives the player final say as to where they end up, essentially deeming them “untouchable.” Per the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is set to expire after the 2023-2024 season, there are specific requirements that a player must meet to receive a no-trade clause in their contract. Those criteria include a player having eight or more Years of Service in the NBA, with four or more Years of Service for the team entering the contract. Beal received his no-trade clause when he signed his five-year max contract worth $251 million in 2022.

For a player with a no-trade clause to be traded, he must approve or consent to the trade. If the player refuses to consent, the trade cannot happen, simple as that. However, if the player consents to the trade, the no-trade clause remains in effect until the end of their contract, unless otherwise waived. In this case, it was rumored that several teams were interested in Beal, but asked him to get rid of the no-trade clause if they acquired him, which he refused. The Suns accepted that Beal would not waive his no-trade clause and agreed to make the trade and take on the last four years of his deal which should pay out around $207.7 million.

The massive payout on Beal’s contract and subsequent luxury tax penalties indicate that the Suns are pushing to be title contenders immediately. With a highly skilled Big 3 including Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and now Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns might put an end the NBA’s third-longest title drought next season.

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