'Rejuvenated' Bradley Beal excited to join new-look Suns - ESPN

A «rejuvenated» Bradley Beal is antsy just thinking of all the possibilities with his new Phoenix Suns team.

During his introductory news conference as the Suns' big acquisition this summer, Beal was asked what it will be like to play alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant and not have to be the main focus of opposing defenses like he was for years in Washington.

«Good luck with that, right?» Beal interrupted when talking about the dilemma facing defenses against the Suns this season. «I get antsy just thinking about it because I haven't had those opportunities and it's the same with the other two guys and DA [Deandre Ayton].

»… I'm happy. You can go guard Devin and K tonight and I can chill a little bit and not face so many double-teams. A little bit more open shots. I can work on my catch-and-shoot a little bit more."

Beal, 30, said it was bittersweet having to leave Washington, the only team he has ever played for and a city that he has forged «emotional» ties to. Beal had a no-trade clause so he could dictate where he would be traded and what package that could garner. That process was emotional for him before he opted to join the Suns, who traded Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, six second-round picks and four first-round pick swaps to the Wizards for Beal, Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd.

Beal will be on a roster built to contend for a championship for the first time in his 11-year career, playing alongside two prolific All-Star scorers in Booker and Durant to go with former No. 1 overall pick Ayton.

Beal, who averaged 30.5 points and 31.3 points per game during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons for the Wizards, isn't worried about fitting in, finding shots or perhaps having to play some point guard in the Suns' stacked