"I'm not gonna be an a**hole" - Bradley Beal on how he handles coming off the bench for Phoenix Suns
Although Bradley Beal is the fifth highest-paid player in the league and the second-highest on his team, he has recently found himself starting games on the bench for the Phoenix Suns.
Naturally, this isn't the ideal role for a player of his stature. However, according to "Big Panda," this doesn't mean he'll cause a scene. The 31-year-old shared this view when asked about the "weirdest" part of his recent bench stint.
"Every moment," Beal admitted. "But again, I'm not gonna be a distraction, I'm not gonna be an a**hole, I'm not gonna be unprofessional."
Suns shake-up
Starting this week, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed big news about the Arizona team. Head coach Mike Budenholzer finally made a move after the Suns' disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, leaving them with a 15-18 record and 12th in the Western Conference.
Two major changes were made: center Jusuf Nurkic was replaced in the starting lineup by Mason Plumlee, and Beal, in the third year of his massive five-year, $251-million contract, was replaced by rookie Ryan Dunn.
Bradley, like many Suns players, has struggled this season. Despite being one of the league's top scorers in the past, he is only averaging 17.8 points per game—his lowest since the 2015-16 season. While injuries have played a role, this is not the performance the coaching staff or Beal himself can be happy with.
From starter to sixth man
After feeling the brunt of Phoenix's struggles, the three-time All-Star, who has a trade clause he reportedly hasn't discussed waiving, remained professional. On Monday, he said he won't "sit there and argue with coach Mike Budenholzer". Bradley also mentioned that he doesn't want to be a "distraction" or an "a**hole."
The 6'4" shooting guard, who has been a reliable starter in recent years, reiterated this sentiment and explained the mindset behind it.
"I always take pride in my game, in who I am, in what I do. This is no different. I guess it's just more magnified because it's something that people are not used to seeing," he remarked.
The Missouri native isn't just talking the talk; he's also backing it up with solid performances.
Coming off the bench in the last three games, playing an average of a little over 31 minutes, Beal excelled as a leader of the second unit, contributing to two wins and one loss with averages of 20.0 points and 4.0 assists.
It will be interesting to see how his situation develops. The 31-year-old may stay on the bench for a while, but he could return to the starting five or even join a new team before the trade deadline.
