Phoenix Suns insider breaks down Bradley Beal contract buyout
The Suns bought out guard Bradley Beal’s contract, ending his time in Phoenix. The Republic’s Duane Rankin explains what it means for the team.
Chris Paul and Bradley Beal, both accustomed to wearing the number 3, will be teammates on the Los Angeles Clippers.Beal graciously offered to relinquish the number to Paul, acknowledging its significance as part of Paul’s “CP3” moniker.
A pair of former Phoenix Suns have settled a potentially contentious subject: Who will wear No. 3 for the Los Angeles Clippers? Hint: CP3 will not need to change his nickname.
Point guard Chris Paul, who directed the Suns’ 2021 NBA Finals team, has worn the number his entire 20-year career.
Bradley Beal, recently bought out by the Suns after an underwhelming two-year stay in the Valley, also has known no other number in his career. The Clippers and Beal agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option for the second season.
“Once Brad heard it’s a possibility Chris was coming, he said, ‘I want to give him my number,’ and I don’t even think Chris knows this yet,” said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, in a conference call with reporters. “It’s awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that.
“… Brad is such a great guy and an awesome teammate. … He knows what that jersey means to Chris. There’s a reason why he’s CP3.”
Beal hasn’t played more than 60 games since the 2018-19 season, while Paul played a full 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Frank said it was not yet decided what number Beal would wear this season.
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