Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[KillerLeft]

Yes, a buyout is an actual discount. Less money from PHX. 

But you would do this. It is money he can very likely get back (and probably more besides) by being a UFA who can sign a new deal w someone else - and his agent likely has already asked around to other teams, and knows.

It is negotiated. Yes, Beal can always say no on ANY lower number. However, Suns can always have him sit for 2 years while he ages. So it's a tradeoff, a deal.

He will walk and pick a new team of his choosing. Big plus. For PHX, buyout deal likely says he splits new money beyond $X with PHX. He gets whole and maybe more while he plays where he chooses, PHX moves on and saves some salary money with more coming, perhaps (and also saves a metric buttoad of tax). Win-win.

I should have kept reading. Beat me to it.