By all accounts, the Phoenix Suns were desperate to move Beal in a deal for Jimmy Butler, but the bulky contracts involved and second-apron restrictions made negotiations difficult. And that was before taking Beal's no-trade clause into account, which allowed him to control his fate.

Bradley Beal remained on the Phoenix Suns roster past Thursday's NBA trade deadline. But there was reportedly an alternate universe in which the 3-time All-Star ended up back with the Washington Wizards.

Suns star Bradley Beal is often described as having the worst contract in the NBA. But even for a guy with such a heavy presence on the payroll, at least two teams were willing to take him this season: the Wizards and Hawks.