Beal eyes LA after Suns contract buyout

Three-time NBA All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout by the Phoenix Suns that opens the door to join the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old was the third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by Washington and traded to Phoenix in 2023, but struggled in two seasons with the Suns, setting the stage for his departure.

After clearing waivers, Beal plans to sign a two-year deal worth $11 million with the Clippers, his agent told ESPN and the Arizona Republic, with a player option for the 2026-27 campaign that could make him a top free agent next year.

The Suns had the NBA's most expensive roster last season, but finished 36-46 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Beal's buyout marks the latest move to revamp its roster.

Phoenix fired Mike Budenholzer as coach in April, replacing him last month with Cleveland assistant coach Jordan Ott.

The Suns also traded star forward Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets as part of a seven-team deal earlier this month.

Beal battled injuries in his two seasons with the Suns, playing 53 games in each. Last season, Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals a game. It was his lowest points-per-game production since the 2014-15 campaign.

Beal would be joining a Clippers lineup that includes guard James Harden, forward Kawhi Leonard and center Brook Lopez.

The Clippers have dealt Norman Powell to the Miami Heat, which officially clears the way for a different shooting guard to enter the mix.

Powell started all 60 games he appeared in for the Clippers last season, averaging a career-high 21.8 points. While things can change, Beal is currently expected to occupy that recently vacated starting spot.

"I'm a starter in the league," Beal said in January after being relegated to the bench for the Suns. "I firmly believe that. No disrespect to anybody, but I'm a starter."

A handful of NBA rivals reportedly made pitches for Beal, whose new club has enough money below the league salary cap to compete in the free agent market for the next two years.

AFP