Milwaukee and Phoenix Swap Problematic Deals

A third team may need to be roped in because the Suns can't technically take on Lillard in a one-for-one swap. He makes about a half-million dollars more than Beal, and Phoenix isn't allowed to take in more salary than it sends out. Nor can it aggregate players in a trade to make up the difference.

If the Bucks and Suns send second-rounders to the Nets, they can step in and facilitate a deal with their ample cap space.

The idea here is simple, but it hinges on Giannis Antetokounmpo staying in Milwaukee.

Lillard's ruptured Achilles means he's not going to help next season. Beal, despite enduring slippage in Phoenix, is going to be the more valuable contributor in 2025-26 by default. If he likes the idea of settling in as the clear No. 2 option to a superstar instead of trying to find his way as a No. 3 in Phoenix, he could waive his no-trade clause and allow a deal to proceed.

Phoenix is taking on dead money for next year while banking on Lillard returning to form (and outproducing Beal) in 2026-27 and beyond. It's not a ridiculous bet. Even a diminished Lillard would fill Phoenix's need for a true point guard better than Beal ever did.