Bradley Beal makes his feelings clear on coming off the bench as trade rumors heat up: "I hold the cards"

Bradley Beal minced no words when addressing the trade rumors surrounding the Phoenix Suns guard and his future with the franchise. His take comes amid reports and the move of the All-Star guard coming off the bench for the side alongside center Jusuf Nurkic. Earlier, the Suns' think-tank pulled the two from the starting unit in the team's 109-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Speaking to the media and addressing the rumors of being shipped, Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract said"

"If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards. Until I'm addressed and somebody says something different, then I'll be a Sun."

Beal is in the third year of his five-year. $251 million deal. He is set to make $50.2 million this season—about $1 million less than superstar Kevin Durant. Nurkic has two years left in his four-year, $70 million contract.

Bradley Beal was one of the blockbuster moves Suns owner Mat Ishbia made when purchasing the team. The Suns bagged marquee names at the cost of draft capital. The results though have been disappointing with Phoenix making the playoffs but failing to make a deeper run.

It has been a damp squib for Beal so far, with injuries limiting him to just 76 of the team's 116 games since his arrival in Arizona. He's averaging 17.8 points and 3.1 assists this season.

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Bradley Beal looked at as an ideal trade candidate for Jimmy Butler

While Bradley Beal's benching comes as major news, the East Coast has presses running Jimmy Butler's trade drama. The Heat superstar has been one of the names looked at as a key name before the trade deadline ends and per reports, Beal is seen as an ideal trade candidate for the disgruntled Butler. As for Beal, he had indicated interest in playing for the Heat in the past.

From a contract standpoint, the Suns stand over the second luxury threshold that sees them severely restricted. Per the NBA's rules, a trade that involves shipping Beal for a star player and another roster piece on minimum salary from the Heat could work.

That said, it's also worth noting that Miami is yet to show real interest in the Suns guard. There is also the possibility of a third team being involved in any deal that includes both Bradley Beal and Butler.