Bradley Beal Addresses Suns Trade Rumors: ‘I’m Holding the Cards’

Bradley Beal made the most of the unfamiliar role of substitute for Phoenix Suns. That doesn’t mean he had to like it.

Beal came off the bench first time in nine years on Monday night and scored a game-high 25 points as the Suns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over Philadelphia 76ers.

Beal scored 20 points in the second half as Phoenix overcame an early 12-point deficit to win for just the second time in nine games.

After the game, the 31-year-old Beal said he accepted coach Mike Budenholzer’s roster changes, but made it clear that he considers himself an NBA starter.

“The coach made his decision. He lives with it,” said the three-time All-Star in an interview after the game with AZCentral.com. “It’s kind of twofold. I’m a starter in the league. I’m a firm believer in that. No disrespect to anybody, but I’m a starter. … Coach made a decision. I’m not going to sit and argue with him, I’m not going to sit here and interfere .”

Beal last came off the bench during the 2015-16 season while returning from injury with the Washington Wizards.

Budenholzer also moved Jusuf Nurkicwho was returning from a three game suspension for his role in the fight against Dallasin a reserve role and said before the game that both players handled the news well.

“I feel like we have to make a change,” Budenholzer said. “During a 48-minute game, you have to come up with your best combinations, your best ways to try to get success.” They are two important players for us, two very good players for us. We just felt we had to make a change.

“They are professionals. I talked to each of them individually. They want what’s best for the team. I respect and appreciate them a lot.”

Bill and Nurkic (five points, seven rebounds) gave the Suns bench a big boost, as the Phoenix reserves outscored the Philadelphia bench 54-7.

“What he was able to do tonight really put us in a great spot, he made a ton of plays for himself, a ton of plays for his teammates,” Budenholzer said of Beal. “He was a professional. He was there for us tonight in a big way.”

While there for the Suns on Monday, Beal was asked if he believed the lineup move had anything to do with the trade speculation.

“If so, I should address because I hold the cards,” said Bill, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. “Until I’m approached and someone says otherwise, I’ll be the sun.”

Associated Press reports.

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