Suns’ Bradley Beal looks ahead after last season: ‘That joy, that energy’ wasn’t there

Needless to say, 2023-24 was underwhelming for the Phoenix Suns. For Bradley Beal, it was frustrating.

Phoenix acquired Beal in a trade with the Washington Wizards last summer, solidifying a Big Three alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant that many Valley fans hoped would bring home the franchise’s first championship.

All three dealt with injuries, especially Beal, who missed much of the first half of the year. The Suns were bounced out of the playoffs amid a first-round sweep by the Minnesota Timberwolves after a 49-33 regular season.

Beal came prepared to the Suns’ media day on Monday with his goals set in stone — and some personal reflection — ahead of the upcoming campaign.

“My wife asked me the other day. She said, ‘What are your goals this year?’ I said, ‘literally one thing … have fun,'” Beal told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke on Monday. “I said I couldn’t tell you the last time … So many things are going on around you. You’re hurt, you’re trying to get back into the flow, you’re trying to mesh with your team. I never really got my feet planted correctly and got to run with the team (last year). I always felt like I was playing catch-up, and that whole process was frustrating.

“In that, I’m a little lost. I want to prove myself. I want to prove there’s a reason they traded for me. I want to be on the floor. But obviously, things happen. I get hurt, flow isn’t great — granted we did good things after December … but all in all, that joy, that energy just wasn’t there. That’s been my whole primary focus.”

Bradley Beal admitted he's just trying to have fun again. "All-in-all, that joy, that energy, it just wasn't there (last season)," he told @Wolfandluke.

Full interviews with Devin Booker and Beal: https://t.co/nbylyjmucg pic.twitter.com/T5bq35kmoX

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) September 30, 2024

Beal averaged 18.2 points per game, shooting 51% overall and 43% from three. It was his most efficient offensive season but his lowest-scoring since 2015-16. His role changed midyear, with since-fired head coach Frank Vogel asking Beal to take on primary point guard duties.

And for the fifth season in a row, he struggled with injuries and failed to surpass 60 games played.

While the health worries have to be answered in-season, Beal has at least one weight vest off his shoulders. He won’t have to manage playing point guard on top of being asked to take on key defensive assignments.

Phoenix has already named free-agent addition Tyus Jones the starting point guard.

“I’m always going to be that player of being team-first. What do we need to do to win?” Beal said at the media day podium. “I’m blessed now and happy we’re built in a way to where I don’t have to take on a lot of those roles I did last year and I can focus on just being Brad.

“Like, I can be aggressive, I can look to score. I can be who you know me to be.”

How Suns guard Bradley Beal reset in the offseason

The 31-year-old spent the offseason with his family, and he credits the time spent with them as what he needed to recoup.

“Honestly, seeing my kids this summer probably helped me get back to that,” Beal said. “Just their joy, their energy, always just being in the moment. … That’s what you miss, that’s what you need.”

The Big Three will be back on the court this season, as newly hired head coach Mike Budenholzer already set the starting five ahead of training camp.

Beal said he begins the year healthy, and he’s ready to take it all in as the Suns continue the push for the team’s first championship.

“I’m healthy now. You have a great new staff, new everything, enjoy every moment,” Beal said. “This is one of the best teams you’ll ever be on. Take it day by day and enjoy it.”