Bradley Beal came off the bench Monday for the first time since his fourth NBA season. He's been linked to a Jimmy Butler trade.

It’s understandable that Beal was caught off-guard. He has been advertised as one leg of this big three in Phoenix since the moment he waived his no-trade clause about a year and a half ago to approve a trade out of Washington.

Bradley Beal said he's gotten no indication the Phoenix Suns want to move on from him. He said so after he was removed from the starting lineup Monday night,

Recently, Stephen A. Smith took to ESPN to give a harsh criticism of Phoenix, as well as some friendly advice on why he thinks they should pursue Jimmy Butler via trade.

“While the Miami Heat continues to listen to trade offers for six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, his Heat tenure isn’t officially over yet,” Chiang reported. “According to a source close to the situation, Butler will be expected to rejoin the Heat and play in games if he’s still on the roster at the end of his team-issued seven-game suspension.”

The Phoenix Suns have been bandied about as a possible destination for Jimmy Butler, the disgruntled Heat star, but does a Bradley Beal package make sense for Miami?

PHOENIX -- Amid a flurry of trade rumors surrounding his name, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal finally broke his silence. When asked if his recent benching was due to a potential move, Beal offered the following: "If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards. Until I'm addressed and somebody says something different, I'll be a Sun."

Suns guard Bradley Beal was candid when asked about the trade rumors with Jimmy Butler, as well as coming off the bench.

The Phoenix Suns moved Bradley Beal to the bench on Monday night in an effort to shake up what has been a disappointing season under first-year coach Mike Budenholzer. It worked, at least for one night,

In the middle of losing 7 of 8 games, Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer benched star Bradley Beal and center Jusuf Nurkic. Both players are struggling, and their numbers are way down this season. This isn’t a day-to-day move — it’s permanent.

Despite the constant trade talks, a lineup change, and the turmoil that has been this early 16-18 Phoenix Suns season, Bradley Beal has stayed committed to the four letters scribed in on his chest.