Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal holds the keys to the future of both himself and the organization. It's no secret the Suns and Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler want each other, though the only conceivable way that happens is if Beal agrees to waive his no-trade clause.

As he left the arena Thursday night, Beal didn’t sound like someone ready to give in. His role has changed. He has not.

It would have been easy to assume the Phoenix Suns' decision to bench Bradley Beal was done in part to motivate him to waive his no-trade clause ahead of