Suns’ Paul ejected after 2 techs, bumps into ref

The Phoenix Suns’ decision to move Bradley Beal to a bench role this week was widely regarded with cynicism as a way to convince him to waive his no-trade clause so they can send him out as part of a package to acquire Jimmy Butler. But sources tell Jake Fischer that it was an attempt to turn Beal into a more aggressive scorer with second units. Beal responded by scoring 25 points in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported that he was told by sources from the Suns that Beal’s bench role was sincere and not related to potential trade activity.

Beyond a pursuit of Butler, the Suns are also actively searching other ways to improve the roster by seeing what they could receive in return for their first round pick in 2031.

The Suns haven’t broached Beal’s no-trade clause with him directly and are not expected to do so unless they have a tangible multi-team trade construction with the Heat.

“You can’t bring anything to Brad unless there’s a deal on the table,” said one longtime Eastern Conference executive. “You can’t lose him until you know you’re going to move him.”

Beal has settled his family in the Phoenix area and is not believed to be interested in waiving his no-trade clause.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has completed his five-game suspension for putting Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert in a headlock. Green was adamant that he’ll always have his teammates’ backs in a situation like that.

“I don’t live my life with regrets,” Green said after practice, the first time he has spoken to reporters since his suspension. “I’ll come to a teammate’s defense any time that I’m in a position to come to a teammate’s defense. … What matters to me is how the people that I care about feel, first and foremost. How are the people that I care about affected? How are the people I care about, what do they have to deal with? That’s it for me.”

Green said that after talking with Warriors coach Steve Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy, that he’s not going to change who he is.

“The consensus amongst all of us is that I’m going to be me no matter what. That’s not going to change,” Green said. “But in saying that, there’s always a better way that something can be done. So it’s figuring out a better way. That’s the consensus among all of us.”

Green also said he shouldn’t continue to be punished for prior transgressions. He feels that the NBA shouldn’t be taking that into account with current and future incidents.

“To continue mentioning, ‘Oh, well, he did this in the past,’ I paid for those,” Green said. “I got suspended in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. You can’t keep suspending me for those actions.”