Bradley Beal Calls Move to Suns 'Dream Come True'
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns might have to change their name to the Constellations if they keep adding stars.
While time will tell if reported interest in Kyrie Irving comes to fruition, the Suns were able to officially unveil their newest addition to the team in guard Bradley Beal, who was acquired via trade from the Washington Wizards.
Though Beal wasn't alone in the swap for either side, he arrives as the main course for a roster that already features Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
Beal - who recently turned 30 - spent the first 11 years of his career in Washington, though he said landing in Phoenix was a dream come true.
"I'm super excited to be here," Beal said at his introductory press conference at the Footprint Center. "This is a dream come true. Sort of bittersweet being in DC for 11 years.
"Had a lot emotional ties to that city. My family was established there, so I just want to take a moment to thank the city of DC, thank the organization for allowing this partnership to happen. Without their partnership I wouldn't be here in front of you guys today. So I want to take a little moment to thank them. But I'm super excited for this opportunity. This is awesome for my family and I.
"A new change. Yesterday was my birthday, so I feel refreshed. I feel rejuvenated. This is an exciting moment for me. It's an awesome team. Like coach [Frank Vogel] said, we have a very, very awesome core and I'm just happy to get part of it. I'm excited to push these guys every single day and learn from them as well. So my family and I look forward to meeting everybody here, engaging with everybody. With the city, with the fans, the community. I'm very big on being as impactful as I can so I look forward to meeting everybody, being as impactful as I can and hopefully we can chase this ring."
Beal said being traded to Phoenix was a full circle moment, considering he was drafted on his 19th birthday and was being introduced as a Sun one day after his 30th.
"I was telling him [Suns GM James Jones] last week, I feel like I got drafted all over again. Ironically, this is the same time around draft night so it's definitely coming back full circle," Beal said.
"I'm just enjoying it man. This is an awesome opportunity. Just to compete every single night in meaningful games - that's so important to me. And then having an organization whose goals are all aligned, we're all focused on one goal and we're gonna do everything in our power to try to achieve that thing."