Three-Time All-Star Intends to Sign with the Clippers
The Phoenix Suns and former all-star Bradley Beal have gotten their wish. The former three-time all-star will now be a L.A Clipper. Beal plans to join the Clippers on a two-year $11 million deal with a player option in the last year after clearing waivers. This starts a new chapter in Bradley Beal's career where he can once again prove himself on a new team.
This move threatens the West with the acquisitions of John Collins, Brook Lopez, Derrick Jones Jr and bringing back Nicolas Batum and Kris Dunn. It seems like a natural fit if Bradley beal can even average 15 points per game it would greatly impact the Clippers' chances. Getting rid of that Paul George contract opened up the opportunity for this to happen. The Clippers are putting themselves along with the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets to be the top challengers to the Thunder in the West.
On the other hand the Suns spent much of last season trying to find a spot in the NBA Playoffs. This diminishes $97 million from the Suns. Beal will give $13.9 million out of the $110 million of his final two years to complete this buyout with the Suns. The move now opens the mid-level exception for the Suns. Opening the pathway to sign more players to help the Devin Booker and Jalen Green combo in Phoenix. The two-year tenure comes to an end as Beal was once seen as part of the big three with Booker and Kevin Durant. Three elite scorers who were very ball-dominant but couldn't stay healthy or develop chemistry together.
According to reports, Beal and his team had the communications line open to other teams as well. Some of these teams included the Lakers, Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves. His goal was finding the perfect fit outside of Phoenix and it seems like he has found it with two of the league's best scorers in James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. Now we will have to wait and see if Beal can cash in on this opportunity as it may be one of his last to win a ring.
