This year's stunning NBA trade deadline was the busiest in league history. There were 63 players dealt in the week leading up to Thursday, including eight All-Stars. Ironically, one of the most important players along the way was one who stayed put: Bradley Beal.

Beal's no-trade clause, which the Wizards included in his contract back in 2022, proved to be the biggest challenge in Phoenix trying to find Beal a new home.

The expectation is that Beal could change his mind under the right circumstances. Unfortunately for the Suns, though, their two most favorable trade partners are nowhere close to title contention. One of them is presently the worst squad in the league.