The Phoenix Suns opted to waive-and-stretch the remainder of Bradley Beal's contract over the summer, allowing him to become a free agent. Shortly after, he signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers. Beal needed a fresh start, and he found one in LA, where he will start alongside James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac (the final starter is TBD).
Beal dealt with a lot of criticism the past two seasons, but it mainly stemmed from his contract. The Suns chose to trade for him, a decision that quickly backfired. He's a good player, as he averaged 17 points per game last season on 49.7% shooting from the field and 38.6% from three, but Beal's production didn't match his salary. It didn't come close.
The contract he's on with the Clippers is much more reasonable, so there isn't as much pressure on his shoulders, or LA's, as there was in Phoenix. He could do well with the Clippers, but Ty Lue's decision to start him alongside Harden will result in similar problems to what the Suns dealt with.
Lue expects to get more out of Beal on the defensive end, but will that really happen? According to Lue, it will, as he said he wants Beal to return to being an "elite-level defender." Yes, you read that right.
Clippers plan to start Bradley Beal alongside James Harden
Remember what it was like watching Devin Booker and Beal play together? Phoenix was terrible defensively, which is why Mike Budenholzer benched Beal at the start of the new year and started Ryan Dunn instead. If only the Suns knew that their Big 3 would turn out to be completely unplayable together on the floor.
At the Clippers' media day earlier this week, Beal discussed LA's pitch to him and expressed his confidence and comfort in his role. He's already off to a better start than he was in Phoenix, as he wasn't the only Suns player who wasn't sure of his role in the desert.
Phoenix fans shouldn't be surprised if Beal looks like a different player than he did the past couple of seasons, just like Clippers fans shouldn't be surprised the Harden/Beal backcourt pairing doesn't work out. The most optimal role for Beal might be coming off the bench, leading the second unit.
Los Angeles will learn soon enough.