The Phoenix Suns are working on a buyout with Bradley Beal, and the three-time All-Star will end up signing with the LA Clippers after he hits the open market. Howard Beck let fans know that it seemed like a foregone conclusion around the league after the Clips traded Norman Powell for John Collins on Monday.
Suns fans are happy to see Beal go. Things have been a disaster ever since Phoenix went virtually all-in to acquire him in the 2023 offseason. Beal’s massive salary and no-trade clause made it difficult to build out their roster. The Suns didn’t win a playoff game with Beal on their roster and will now be paying him over the next five years to not play in Phoenix.
Beal was no longer a $50 million player, but he will sign with the Clippers for one-tenth of that salary. He put up numbers in Phoenix, despite his flaws. Suns fans are in for even more heartache as Beal rebuilds his value in Los Angeles.
Bradley Beal appears destined to join the Clippers after his buyout
Beal averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 32.7 minutes per game over 106 contests with the Suns. He shot 50-40-80 and will provide exactly what the Clippers need. They finished 15th in offensive rating last season and third on defense. They had to find someone who can efficiently get buckets. Even Phoenix fans know that is Beal’s specialty.
LA has the defense to cover for his biggest weakness too. Beal has produced a negative defensive box score plus-minus for ten straight years. Last season, the Suns gave up 121.1 points per 100 possessions with Beal on the floor and 117.2 with him off the court. The Clippers just need Beal to get buckets. They will play him in lineups with strong defenders to help mitigate his flaw.
The Suns will be paying a massive amount of money for Beal to play elsewhere. It was a problematic marriage from the jump, and Phoenix had to move on. They do not want to see him join a conference rival on a bargain contract, but that is the price of buying him out.
The one upside of Beal landing in Los Angeles is it likely pushes Chris Paul back to Phoenix. The Clippers will not have enough minutes for both guards. They clearly need the scoring more, which makes Beal the perfect fit. Phoenix must add a point guard so all parties should win in this situation.
The Phoenix Suns had to cut ties with Bradley Beal. No team wanted the two years remaining on his gigantic contract, and Beal’s no-trade clause prevented the franchise from dumping him. A buyout was the only option, and it will hurt the Suns plenty over the next five years.
Owner Mat Ishbia dumped both of his star additions this offseason and is clearly changing his ways. Can he build a contender in Phoenix? The Suns are in a difficult spot, and this buyout only worsens it. At least they are on a new path and creating hope for the future. It is a small improvement, but Suns fans will take anything after last season.