This presupposes that the trade for Beal is the original roster construction problem in Phoenix that must be solved -- that under the new collective bargaining agreement, building a team around three max salary players, one of whom is performing far below a max level, is untenable.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal will not waive his no-trade clause to go to the Chicago Bulls, a source familiar with the three-time All-Star’s thinking told The Athletic. The Bulls had been mentioned as one team the Suns could use to facilitate a hypothetical trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

The NBA trade deadline draws closer by the day, and as always, the transaction cycle remains headlined by the same small group of players. On Monday, the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround upon receiving the news that he would be benched.

Will the Cavs be able to contain Kevin Durant and the Suns without Evan Mobley? This will be Cleveland's first of two matchups against Phoenix. Since both teams are in separate conferences, they only face each other twice a season.