Bradley Beal to Clippers the Latest Piece to Successful Offseason Puzzle

Bradley Beal has reached a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns and signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Beal's signing as one of the more coveted players that was expected to be moved either via trade or buyout continues a strong offseason for the Clippers in which they have both retooled their roster and retained key players. James Harden re-upped on a two-year deal worth $81.5 million, forward John Collins was obtained in a trade for guard Norman Powell, and Brook Lopez was signed via free agency. Defensive ace Kris Dunn and athletic wing Derrick Jones Jr. return. 

While Collins gives the Clippers needed frontcourt help and Lopez fortifies their center depth (of which they had none last year), Beal gives this roster more shooting. He replaces Powell’s shooting and makes up for the lack of distance aptitude from Dunn. 

Beal, who turned 32 years old on June 28, has dealt with injuries over the past six seasons.

Bradley Beal Games Played Since 2019-20

2019-20: 57 games

2020-21: 60 games

2021-22: 40 games

2022-23: 50 games

2023-24: 53 games

2024-25: 53 games

In 2021-22 and 2022-23, he averaged 23.2 points per game. In the winter of 2022, he underwent season-ending surgery on his left wrist.

With the Suns in 2023-24 and this past season, he averaged 18.2 points and 17.0 points per game on 51.3% and 49.7% shooting (13.9 shot attempts in 2023-24, 13.1 in 2024-25). He missed time this past season with a variety of injuries and came off the bench in fifteen games.

Although he has had health concerns, Beal remains one of the best shooters in the game and playing with a facilitator like Harden will grant him open opportunities. In his first season in Phoenix, Beal posted games of 43 points, 37 points, and 30 points. This past season, he recorded nineteen games of 20-plus points.

Bradley Beal 25-point Scoring Games in 2024-25

11/10/24: 28 points, 9-of-18 FG vs SAC

12/21/24: 26 points, 11-of-20 FG, 3-of-6 3PT vs DET

12/25/24: 27 points, 11-of-21 FG, 3-of-7 3PT vs DEN

12/28/24: 28 points, 12-of-24 FG, 4-of-11 3PT vs GSW

01/06/25: 25 points, 10-of-15 FG, 3-of-6 3PT vs PHI

01/09/25: 25 points, 11-of-16 FG, 2-of-5 3PT vs ATL 02/03, 02/05: 25 points in both games (vs. POR and OKC), combined 15-of-28 FG, 4-of-10 3PT

02/22/25: 25 points, 10-of-19 FG, 3-of-7 3PT vs CHI

02/23/25: 30 points, 12-of-15 FG vs TOR

03/12/25: 25 points, 9-of-14 FG vs HOU

04/09/25: 25 points, 8-of-17 FG, 4-of-8 3PT vs OKC

Beal on the floor also will bring less double teams to Kawhi Leonard, which will help open up the floor for the forward as well. 

The Clippers won 50 games in 2024-25, tying with the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets. The Clippers lost in the first round in seven games to the Nuggets. The Lakers were one team that was rumored to have interest in Beal, but whether that was true or manufactured just because it is the Lakers is anyone’s guess. With Beal though, the Clippers improved their roster and continue to improve their roster in trying to maximize their championship window with Leonard, 34, and Harden, who turns 36 on August 29. 

Beal was a nice get for the Clippers.