Bradley Beal brushes off NBA rumors of his possible departure from the Phoenix Suns: "I hold the frying pan by the handle"

Bradley Beal came off the bench for the first time in nine years and was key in Phoenix Suns' victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 20 points in the second half and 25 in total.

The former Wizards player's benching has sparked NBA rumors about a possible exit, although he is clear that he will do as he pleases thanks to a clause in his contract that allows him to decide his future.

"If that's the case, I need them to tell me because I hold the cards," Beal told reporters after Monday's game. "Until someone tells me otherwise, I'm still a Sun."

Despite it all, Beal still sees himself as a starter. "The coach made his decision. We have to live with it," he declared to AZCentral.com. "It's a two-sided thing. I'm a starter in this league, I firmly believe that. Without disrespecting anyone, but I'm a starter. The coach made a decision. I'm not going to argue with him or be a distraction."

The last time Beal came off the bench was during the 2015-16 season when he returned from an injury playing for the Washington Wizards.

Budenholzer also moved Jusuf Nurkic to the bench, who was returning after a three-game suspension for his involvement in a fight against Dallas. Before the game, the coach stated that both players took the news well. "I felt that we needed to make a change," Budenholzer explained. "Throughout a 48-minute game, you have to find the best combinations and ways to be successful. They are two important and very good players for us. We just felt it was necessary to make a change. They are professionals. I spoke with each of them individually. They want the best for the team. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for them."

"What he was able to do tonight really put us in a great position, making a lot of plays for himself and his teammates," Budenholzer commented on Beal. "He has been a professional. Today he was there for us in a significant way."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bradley Beal pasa de los rumores NBA de su posible salida de Phoenix Suns: "Yo tengo la sartén por el mango"