The Phoenix Suns might be an organization that has fumbled the last few seasons and is going to endure a pretty painful rebuild, yet they somehow haven't had as bad an offseason as the L.A. Clippers. Up until recently that wasn't the case, with Phoenix's outlook bleak while the Clippers were emerging as fringe contenders.
The antics of Suns' owner Mat Ishbia weren't helping matters either, but that has all been forgotten about now thanks in large part to the shady goings on of Kawhi Leonard, Clippers' owner Steve Ballmer and a large payment to a third party company. The Suns are going to struggle to break 30 wins next season, but at least they've got Devin Booker, Jalen Green, three rookies and some hope.
Clippers' financial situation means they can't afford anybody else.
It hasn't gone unnoticed that L.A. quickly swooped in for Bradley Beal once the Suns bought him out, while they also added Chris Paul for the farewell tour that would have been tons of fun to watch play out in Phoenix. Beal has already gone on the record as saying he wants to win a ring - and although the Clippers initially looked like a good place to try and do that - their situation has quickly changed.
To make matters worse for them - and much to the enjoyment of the Suns - the Clippers are also past the first apron and so can't afford to bring in any more reinforcements. A blow for that group, and a situation the Suns themselves know all too well having been stuck in the second apron for so long. It was moving on from Beal that allowed them to get away from that mess this offseason.
Joined NBA Today to discuss the Clippers saga involving Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration and tried to sort out just how unique this sponsorship arrangement was compared to what other teams in the league have in place. pic.twitter.com/2tFXlv57IU
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) September 8, 2025
Sure they'll be paying him for the next half decade - and it will count against their cap sheet - but the Clippers are now finding out how unforgiving the new cap rules can be and it is thanks in part to the additions of both Beal and Paul. Given the tough position Phoenix was in in trying to improve their roster the last few seasons - the less said about Jusuf Nurkic the better - at least it is now not them.
Although having Beal on the kind of deal the Clippers got him for - two years, $11 million - would have been nice, while everybody loves Paul in Phoenix, moving away from older names and towards guys like Koby Brea and Khaman Maluach is the way forward for the Suns.
The Clippers have all the makings of falling into the same holes as the Suns once did, and they've a scandal to go with it which you didn't see in Phoenix. After all that has gone wrong for the Suns in the last few years - really since that NBA Finals appearance of 2021 - it is hard not to take this small victory for the franchise. Poor Beal just can't catch a break.