Bradley Beal's Contract Projected as Worst in NBA

Did the Phoenix Suns make a mistake trading for Bradley Beal and his contract? Bleacher Report says yes.

Even in the NBA, the old saying "spend money to make money" applies. Spending has become synonymous with winning titles in the league, and despite recent measures (luxury tax, aprons, etc.) it appears the game will continue to shift that way. 

The Phoenix Suns typically weren't big spenders, though owner Mat Ishbia has quickly changed that narrative since first arriving back in February. 

Now, only the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are deeper into the luxury tax according to Spotrac. 

The Suns have four players making over $30 million this season, one of which is Bradley Beal - who is on a five-year, $251 million deal initially awarded to him by the Washington Wizards before the Suns recently acquired him via trade. 

Bleacher Report says Beal's contract projects as the worst in the league:

"Bradley Beal is a good player. He just happens to be paid as if he's one of the game's greatest and will continue being compensated as such into his mid-30s," wrote B/R.

"Moving over to the Suns should add some significance to his stats that never materialized over his 11-year tenure with the Washington Wizards. He rarely made playoff noise in the District; next season, he could have a substantial impact on the championship race.

"Of course, the reason Beal's in the title race now is because he is properly placed on a franchise hierarchy for the first time. He won't be the Suns' primary or secondary option; Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will handle those roles. He will, however, be paid like a superstar tasked with guiding an entire organization.

"The money owed to the 30-year-old—plus the no-trade clause inexplicably given to him—is the reason why the Suns plucked him out of Washington for almost nothing: a past-his-prime Chris Paul, a never-in-his-prime Landry Shamet and a batch of second-round picks and first-round pick swaps.

"A player making this much should be borderline perfect. Beal is far from that. He's a good scorer, but not always the most efficient one. He is a capable creator, but not someone you want initiating your offense. He used to be an adequate defender, but he's been a net negative on that end for some time.

"Oh, he also has a host of injury concerns, having last topped 60 games in 2018-19, and maybe those could worsen with age.

"As a player, he is fun to watch and could be more fun than ever in Phoenix. As far as his contract is concerned, though, it's as bad as they come entering the 2023-24 campaign."