The Phoenix Suns’ season has gone from disappointing to disastrous, and fans are now pointing fingers. With the team sitting at the 11th spot in the Western Conference standings and holding a grim 35-42 record, frustration is boiling over.
But April 4 night’s 123-103 blowout loss to the Boston Celtics has taken the rage to a new level. The source? Bradley Beal. In a shocking turn of events, the million-dollar player scored just one point in 30 minutes of action—an outing fans are calling the breaking point.
Fans Are Just Disappointed With Bradley Beal
Beal joined the Suns in June 2023 via a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards. He came in as part of a supposed “Big Three” alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, a trio expected to wreak havoc in the West. Instead, Beal has struggled with injuries, chemistry issues, and now—after Friday’s performance—a lack of production when it matters most.
One fan shared a picture of his player card from the Suns’ April 4 matchup against the Boston Celtics in which the guard was practically a no-show, saying, “50 million dollars. No Trade Clause.” Beal struggled to muster up much of anything in his 30 minutes of playing time, sinking a lone free throw, grabbing four rebounds, dishing out five assists, and having a -23 plus/minus differential.
Beal currently has a five-year, $251 million supermax contract, which includes a no-trade clause and a player option for the 2026-27 season, originally signed with the Wizards but absorbed by the Suns. He earns approximately $50.2 million a year. That price tag is now under intense scrutiny.
One user summed up the sentiment perfectly by saying, “Worst contract in NBA history?”
Worst contract in NBA history?
— Kobe is the GOAT (@Kobe08Goat24) April 6, 2025
The users even criticized Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports and Entertainment. Bartelstein is known for negotiating some of the most lucrative deals in recent NBA seasons. Getting Beal a full no-trade clause and $251 million despite no All-NBA selections in recent years now looks like a masterclass in negotiation—and a nightmare for the Suns.
“Retire his agent’s suit in the HoF,” wrote one user acknowledging this fact.
Durant has been elite, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Booker, too, has delivered, putting up 25.7 points and 7.1 assists a night. Despite their stellar play, the Suns remain outside the play-in tournament—mainly because the third star hasn’t held up his end of the bargain.
The harshest criticism came from the user who wrote, “ruined the DK and Book era.”
While most fans unleashed harsh criticism toward Beal, a few voices showed a bit more restraint. “As a Warriors fan, I absolutely love Bradley Beal. He deserves no hate,” wrote one user, whereas another had a more sarcastic tone, “Simply outstanding player.”
The frustration is understandable. Phoenix went all-in with this trio, sacrificing depth and future assets in hopes of a championship run. Instead, they’re staring down a lost season and potentially one of the most unmovable contracts in NBA history. However, they didn’t stay silent after putting up such embarrassing gameplay.
Beal Was Himself Not Happy With His Performance
Beal returned to the court Friday night after missing the previous eight games due to a hamstring injury. However, what was expected to be a promising comeback was a frustrating night for the shooting guard.
In the postgame interview, Beal didn’t shy away from expressing his disappointment. He admitted that he was unhappy with how he played.
“Mentally kind of messing with myself. Just teetering with do I full throttle this thing and try to go, but I don’t want to do anything that puts me back or hinder anything. It’s just a mental thing. I’m past it now, hopefully. Got that game out the way, and just know that I feel good. I can be explosive. I can explore it a lot more than what I did tonight. I have comfort in knowing that,” said Beal during the postgame interview.
This season, Beal averages 17.0 points and 3.7 assists per game — a noticeable drop from his usual production. With just five games remaining in the regular season, hopes of clinching a playoff spot are fading quickly for his team.