Before officially signing with the Los Angeles Clippers after his contract buyout from the Phoenix Suns, veteran guard Bradley Beal examined offers from over 20 NBA teams. The decision followed an extensive evaluation process during which Beal, along with his agent, received permission to engage in discussions about potential fits with multiple organizations.
Sources reported that Beal held Zoom meetings with roughly six different teams to explore how he might contribute before narrowing his choice to the Clippers.
How the Clippers’ Roster Shift Created an Opening for Beal
The Clippers had a wing vacancy after trading Norman Powell to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal. This roster adjustment accelerated their pursuit of Beal, who was already on their shortlist. According to reports, the Clippers had been showing interest prior to the trade, and their efforts increased once the opportunity arose.
Influence of Leadership and Key Players in Beal’s Decision
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and head coach Ty Lue engaged directly with Beal to present what the team could offer. Lue shares a Missouri connection with Beal, which helped build rapport during their talks. Despite this, Beal’s decision-making continued as other options unfolded.
James Harden played a pivotal role in persuading Beal to choose Los Angeles. Harden advocated for Beal within the Clippers’ management and reached out personally to emphasize the team’s depth and support system, highlighting how the Clippers had aided Harden’s own career rebound after tough periods in Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
Beal’s Motivation Following a Challenging Phoenix Stint
Coming off a season where expectations in Phoenix were not met, Beal is eager to return to his All-Star level of play. His agent, Mark Bartelstein, acknowledged the emotional difficulty that comes with a buyout but stressed that Beal’s focus is on future performance rather than past setbacks.
“No one wants to be released. There’s heartache with that,”
—Mark Bartelstein, Bradley Beal’s agent
“But Bradley wants to be in a position where no one remembers he got released, that they’ll remember how he plays next season.”
—Mark Bartelstein, Bradley Beal’s agent
Significance of Beal’s Signing for Clippers and Future Outlook
Beal’s arrival offers the Clippers a valuable player to fill their wing role and strengthen their roster depth amid a competitive Western Conference landscape. His presence could help the team contend more confidently while providing Beal a fresh start to reclaim his form. Observers will watch closely to see if this move revitalizes Beal’s career and impacts the Clippers’ trajectory in the coming season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Can Bradley Beal be waived?
A. If the Suns decided to let Beal go without any changes to his contract, they couldn’t legally stretch it. This is because doing so would exceed the allowed 15% threshold. For the stretch to be valid, Beal would need to forfeit around $13.9 million from his total contract.
Q. Only two players in the NBA have a no-trade clause. Do you know which players? That’s right! It’s LeBron James and Bradley Beal.
A. Who in the NBA has a no-trade clause?
As of now, no player in the NBA has a no-trade clause in their contract.