Bradley Beal’s time with the Phoenix Suns ended not with a press conference or a heartfelt farewell, but with an emoji on his Instagram story. After a chaotic stint filled with injuries, off-court drama, and unmet expectations, Beal secured a buyout from the Suns and signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. His exit was quiet, but his goodbye was loud in its own way, and NBA stars couldn’t help but laugh.
Beal posted a series of photos from his time in Phoenix, accompanied by a simple “✌️” emoji. No captions. No thank-yous. Just vibes.
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The post quickly went viral, with players like Trae Young commenting “Not the deuces,” while Bam Adebayo, Kevin Durant, and Tyus Jones chimed in with laughing emojis.
Acquired in 2023 to form a superteam alongside Durant and Devin Booker, Beal played just 106 of a possible 164 games over two seasons. His time was marred by a string of injuries, including hamstring, ankle, knee, and toe issues, and his fit within the Suns’ system never materialized.
Off the court, things were equally turbulent. Beal’s no-trade clause complicated roster moves, and reports suggested internal friction as the Suns tried to navigate his role and availability. At one point, Beal was moved to the bench, and speculation swirled that the team was trying to pressure him into waiving his clause. Beal responded with a cryptic quote:
“I hold the cards,” referencing his contractual leverage.
Now with the Clippers, Beal is looking to reset his career and contribute to a team with championship aspirations. Meanwhile, the Suns are left to stretch his remaining salary over five years, absorbing a significant cap hit while trying to rebuild around Booker and their new acquisitions.
As for Beal’s emoji send-off? It may not have been poetic, but it was perfectly on-brand for a player whose Phoenix chapter was anything but ordinary.
