Both the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns find themselves in the same boat this summer. The Bucks are trying to stay relevant while hoping to keep star Giannis Antetokounmpo satisfied.
Meanwhile, the Suns are trying to contend but will likely have to retool their roster around Devin Booker. Phoenix appears likely to trade star Kevin Durant and desperately wants to trade Bradley Beal but he has a no-trade clause.
With both teams at a crossroads, they could help each other out this summer. Next, let's take a look at a proposed trade and see whether both sides would agree to the deal.
The Bucks trade Damian Lillard for Bradley Beal in proposed swap
The hypothetical trade would send Damian Lillard to the Suns in exchange for Beal.
In the NBA, bad contracts are usually traded for bad contracts, so Lillard and Beal would potentially make sense in a swap.
There is reason for both teams to consider the trade, with the Bucks trying to keep Giannis happy. Milwaukee had previously been linked with Beal during the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, Phoenix seems anxious to offload Beal this summer and is apparently even open to the idea of waiving him and stretching his contract. That would mean they would have to pay him his $104 million in remaining salary over a five-season span.
That could prove costly if they try to retool around Booker after trading Durant. That increases the possibility of them trying to trade Beal. Between the two players, Lillard is definitely better.
However, he will be coming off of an Achilles tear and will be 35 years old by the start of next season. That makes it highly unlikely that he will be at the same level once he returns to the court, and he could miss most or all of next season.
Would the Bucks and Suns agree to this trade?
The Suns probably won't make the playoffs next season anyways, so trading Beal for Lillard, who might not play, probably doesn't matter. Not to mention, they'd probably waive him if they can't trade him.
At least in this scenario, they'd be getting a better player, and we can see how he looks next season if he is able to play some. He'd also be a gigantic expiring contract in 2026-27. For Milwaukee, they would at least be getting some production from Beal, considering that Lillard will take up $54 million in salary and may not play.
He may ultimately end up being better in 26-27, depending on what Lillard looks like. Beal, too, would be on an expiring contract and a big trade chip for the Bucks.
All things considered, the Suns would accomplish ridding themselves of Beal while getting the better player in the deal. Meanwhile, the Bucks get a player that could help them next season. The proposed deal wouldn't be a major win for either team, but perhaps it's the best the Bucks will get for Lillard and the Suns will get for Beal.