Three Questions Suns Need to Answer After Bradley Beal Trade

Though still unofficial, movement is happening in the Valley.

On Sunday, NBA insider Shams Charania reported the Phoenix Suns were closing in on a deal to land All-NBA guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. After some further developments, the deal looks as followed:

Phoenix will send Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and a batch of second-round picks (still unspecified) along with future pick swaps (also unspecified) to Washington in exchange for Beal and guard Jordan Goodwin + Isaiah Todd.

There's a new dynamic trio in Phoenix, as Beal joins the likes of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on a Suns squad that has clearly pushed their chips to the middle of the table.

With such a significant move, there's sure to be questions. We've got a few.

Three Questions Suns Need to Answer After Bradley Beal Trade

Who's running point? - This question has an easy answer, but it still must be asked with no true point guard on the roster.

It's a very good thing Phoenix utilized Booker as a point guard heavily last season in terms of running the ball up the court and executing plays, even with Paul in the mix. Though Beal is likely somewhat capable, Booker projects best as a floor general with him, Beal and Durant on the floor.

It shouldn't prove to be difficult for Booker to slide into that role, especially with three strong scorers now on the floor at the same time.

Yet there was still a way in which Paul was able to command the offense, dictate tempo and organize the Suns for 48 minutes a night despite his obvious decline thanks to aging.

Cameron Payne could always slide into more playing time, though he's been fairly inconsistent when the lights shine brightest.

Though having a blue blood point guard in today's game isn't a requirement, it will be interesting to see how Booker slides into that role on a full-time basis.

How will Suns fill remaining roster spots? - The Suns are getting back Goodwin and Todd along with Beal in the Wizards trade, but Phoenix still has plenty of roster spots to fill with little cap space to work with.

The Suns have nine players set to hit free agency: T.J. Warren, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, Terrence Ross, Torrey Craig, Bismack Biyombo, Saben Lee, Jock Landale, Darius Bazley and Ish Wainright.

The Suns are expected to bring some of those names back (Lee, Landale, Bazley are restricted free agents while Wainright is on a club option) though it's clear Phoenix will also need to rely on vet minimums in free agency to round out the roster.

That's not a bad bet, as there's a handful of talented players who could opt to forego more lucrative deals to land in Phoenix with the potential to win a ring.

Their best bet to add one or two more valuable depth pieces comes in the form of our third and final question:

What happens with Deandre Ayton? - You know it's summer time when you're hearing trade speculation surrounding Deandre Ayton.

Yet this time around, there's good reason on both sides.

It's clear Ayton isn't begging to stay in Phoenix, and his inconsistent play has caused the Suns to actively search for alternate routes for years now.

The Suns are now well against the luxury tax, and their only move left to add considerable depth is to offload Ayton's current contract in exchange for multiple role players that can fill spots elsewhere.

But - hold the phone - Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro says it's becoming more likely Ayton remains with the team.

Regardless, the Suns appear bent on improving the roster no matter the cost, and that would include foregoing the potential Ayton still offers as an offensive-minded big man.