Phoenix Suns take bold step, reportedly drop $251 million star and another player from starting lineup amid locker room tension

The Phoenix Suns have reportedly made a bold move in response to their four-game losing streak and reports of locker room tensions. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns have decided to bench Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic from the starting lineup, replacing them with rookie Ryan Dunn and Mason Plumlee.

The decision follows a season that has gone from bad to worse for the Suns as the team has plummeted in the Western Conference standings. Phoenix currently sits in 12th place with a disappointing 15-18 record through 33 games.

Despite having three superstar-caliber players in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, Mike Budenholzer's squad has fallen far short of expectations, both their own and those of fans and analysts alike.

Bradley Beal, who is on a five-year, $251 million contract, has struggled this season, battling injuries and underwhelming performance when he has played. The former Washington Wizards star has missed 10 games and is averaging 17.8 points per game through 23 appearances, shooting 48.0% from the field, including 39.2% from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkic has also had a disappointing season so far. The Bosnian center has missed 10 games and is averaging just 8.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and one steal per game. He's shooting 45.2% from the field, including 30.4% from beyond the arc, well below expectations.

Fans react to Suns' reported decision to drop Beal and Nurkic

Social media erupted after Chris Haynes broke the news, with fans quick to share their reactions to the Phoenix Suns' decision to bench Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic from the starting lineup.

"Good decision. Nurkic is a scrub, and as for Beal: The Suns might’ve played this perfectly to get him to heated enough to waive his no-trade to go anywhere else. Miami doesn’t want his salary. So Beal to a 3rd team could maybe work? And Butler ends up in Phoenix," NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor commented.

"There hitting the panic button by benching Beal and rightfully so," commented another fan.

"They want Bradley Beal so pissed off that he waives his no trade clause and they trade him for jimmy," a user wrote.

"Finally came their senses. Need balance. Undersized & no defense Beal at the 3 that’s also surrounded by maybe average defense is no bueno. Let him run rampant on the bench along w/Nurkic. Tyus/Book/Royce/KD/Plumlee. Beal/Grayson/Okogie/Dunn/Nurkic Should be the mains. Bol for alt," another user wrote.

The Suns are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at the Wells Fargo Center.