Suns to bench Bradley Beal amid trade rumors: report
PHOENIX - The Phoenix Suns are reportedly making major changes to their starting lineup amid a rough start to the season and swirling trade rumors.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns will bench Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic beginning Jan. 6 when Phoenix visits the Philadelphia 76ers. Rookie Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee are expected to replace Beal and Nurkic in the starting lineup.
"In midst of 4-game losing streak and tension in locker room, Phoenix expected to make drastic change by removing Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic from starting lineup beginning Monday at Philadelphia," Haynes wrote on X.
The Suns acquired Beal in a trade with the Washington Wizards in 2023.
The Suns have lost four straight games and are sitting at 15-18 on the season. The Suns have lost 7 of their last 10 games.
Phoenix is at the forefront of trade rumors surrounding Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, who is currently serving a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. The Heat initially said they would not trade Butler but now say they will listen to trade offers.