Grade the trade: Spurs add explosive scorer in risky proposal deal with the Suns

Grade the trade: Spurs add Bradley Beal in risky trade proposal with Phoenix

Buckley's deal would send Bradley Beal and three second-round picks to the Spurs in exchange for Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Julian Champagnie. The trade itself probably isn't what Spurs fans would hope for in a Johnson deal, and it would negatively affect their depth with him, Barnes, and Champagnie all expected to be a part of their rotation.

Buckley points out that Beal, despite being technically superior to all three players, is owed $161 million over the next three years of his contract. That would give any team sticker shock with Beal not being the same player he was four seasons ago when he led the league in scoring. He has steadily declined, is 31 years old, and has also struggled with injuries in recent years.

That makes Beal's contract a negative one, which is why the Suns must include three second-round picks, which is pretty much all of their remaining assets. Whether that is enough is unclear, as is whether the Spurs would value Beal. The Suns would be able to fill several holes in their rotation by adding two wings and a center. That could make for a better team, with the Suns being able to build a deeper roster around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, but why the Spurs and Suns would agree to the deal is the question.