Is Bradley Beal playing tonight against Brooklyn Nets? Latest on Suns star's availability amid trade buzz (Jan. 22)

Bradley Beal continues to be in focus amid the Phoenix Suns making moves to land their preferred trade target, Jimmy Butler. The Suns guard has been one of the players likely to land a new home before the end of the season, and per recent reports is open to waiving his no-trade clause.

While all of these are off-court matters, his availability is in doubt ahead of the Suns clash against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Wednesday. Beal has been listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain but played the last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He logged 24 minutes of playing time and recorded five points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Speaking to Az Central's Duane Rankin postgame, Beal had shed light on the issue. His response was crisp saying he was sore, but okay. He also termed the matchup against the Nets as a must-win game.

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Moving to a contender team "first priority" for Bradley Beal if he waives the no-trade clause

Per The Athletic's Fred Katz, Bradley Beal's number one priority is to move to a contender franchise if he decides to waive his no-trade clause. His report added that the All-Star wing would focus on winning when looking at potential destinations. In his latest, Katz wrote:

"He would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the right destination, according to a source familiar with his thinking," Katz said. "But as of now, management hasn't gauged whether he wants out—and if so, to where? It's not Beal's style to approach a front office on his own. He went 11 years in Washington without asking for a trade."

The Suns had Beal coming off the bench earlier in January in their 109-99 against the Philadelphia 76ers. The move led to speculations that his demotion was probably related to any trade saga. Since his bench move, Bradley Beal has had two 25-point games but has not hit 15 points or more after.