Just when it couldn’t get any hotter in Phoenix, Arizona. Since the departure of Kevin Durant, free agency in the valley has been nothing short of blazing hot. Another player, from the Suns’ big 3, could be out, and it’s not Devin Booker, but the other high-level guard, Bradley Beal.

For the three-time All-Star, the tenure in Phoenix has been a major adjustment both individually and team-wise. In two seasons with the Suns, Beal has averaged 17.6 points on 50.5% shooting, 4.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. He is also shooting 40.7% from 3. These are very good numbers for a role player, but for someone of Beal’s caliber, who just in 2020-21 led the league in scoring and was the all-NBA third team, these numbers are well below his standards.

In addition, since Beal’s arrival, the big 3 with Durant and Devin Booker has been a disappointment. In the 2024 playoffs, they were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, and this past season, the Suns were unable to make the play-in. So it is safe to say Beal’s time in Phoenix has not lived up to championship expectations. 

However, this could be an opportunity for the Clippers to join the Beal sweepstakes.

The Clippers have certain holes on their roster they need to address, and one is that they need a second scoring threat next to Leonard. The playoffs against the Denver Nuggets showed the Clippers were missing consistent offensive scoring. While Leonard led not only the Clippers but the entire series in scoring at 25.0 ppg. The next guy, Harden, averaged 18.0 ppg, followed by Ivica Zubac (17.0 ppg) and Norman Powell (16.0 ppg). No one outside of Leonard averaged over 20.0 ppg for the Clippers. 

Since the departure of Paul George, the Clippers have been missing a real, consistent second scoring threat in the playoffs. So, because of that, it puts the Clippers at a disadvantage. Going back to his Wizards days, Beal has a unique skill set of ball handling, scoring, and shooting that makes him a player the Clippers desperately could use. While Beal cannot do all of the things George can do, especially rebounding and defense. The scoring and play-making aspect is certainly there at an elite level.

Beal is also a solid playoff performer. Throughout his postseason career, with six years in the playoffs, he has averaged 22.9 ppg. This comes with his last year in Phoenix, relegated as a third option behind Durant and Booker. With the Wizards, he was a big fish in a small pond; with the Suns, it was the complete opposite. 

The Clippers are a team that is a good regular-season team that needs elevation in the playoffs. This could be an opportunity where his skill and ability can be heavily utilized. From a basketball standpoint, it makes actual sense.

Now, for the Clippers to attain Beal, they would need to negotiate a new deal that Beal would be happy with. The Clippers have a mid-level exception for the 2025 off-season, where they started at $14 million. However, since the signing of Lopez, only about $5 million of that remains for another signing.

From 2021 to the present, the Clippers have signed many notable names in the buyout, such as Rajon Rondo, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook. This could be another door open for Beal’s services, and if they can convince him to take a friendly deal to win, then the Clippers make that move. Now it becomes how badly Beal wants to put himself in a position to win a title?

Bradley Beal’s last 5 games: 39.8 PTS (51 FG%), 6 REB, 5 AST

The Wizards lost 4 of those games and have the worst record in the league (3-10). pic.twitter.com/7t4CY51s3R

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 27, 2021

In his thirteenth season, Beal has a chance with a no-trade clause to control his destiny on where he would go. It is not clear that he wants nothing more than to win, but one thing is certain he doesn’t have any interest going back to a losing situation. With the Suns, adding another shooting guard who is much younger in Jalen Green expect a change to be made this off-season.