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Where LA Clippers rank in Western Conference after Bradley Beal deal
The post Where LA Clippers rank in Western Conference after Bradley Beal deal appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Bradley Beal saga in Phoenix is officially over. Now, the three-time All-Star finds himself in Los Angeles, poised to join a Clippers roster already loaded with star power. According to Shams Charania, Beal has finalized a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns and signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the LA Clippers. Joining Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, Beal's arrival caps off one of the more methodical and intriguing offseasons in the NBA. While the Clippers still have a few holes to plug, most notably at backup point guard, they've emerged from the 2025 offseason not only deeper but arguably more coherent. Let's see the power rankings of the Western Conference. Where are the Clippers in the Western Conference after signing Bradley Beal? At the top, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the standard. With a young core that just delivered a championship and over $800 million invested in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, they're built to sustain dominance. The Denver Nuggets are still formidable with Nikola Jokić leading the charge. And the Houston Rockets, bolstered by depth, youth, and a patient rebuild, are closing fast. But the Clippers are now firmly embedded in the second tier of contenders, alongside the Minnesota Timberwolves and just ahead of the Lakers and Warriors. If Leonard stays healthy and Beal can thrive in a lower-usage, off-ball role, LA could very well close the gap on Denver and Houston. Unlike some of their tier-two peers, the Clippers possess the kind of defensive versatility and playoff-ready skillsets that make them dangerous in a seven-game series. There are still needs to be addressed. Backup point guard is chief among them. The Clippers will likely fill that hole using a veteran minimum contract. Intriguingly, options like Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul – both former Clippers – remain available. Regardless of who fills that final spot, the tone has been set. This offseason, the Clippers didn't chase the biggest names or make reckless trades. The Clippers made thoughtful additions, supplemented stars with structure. They bet on health, yes, but also on balance. For a franchise still searching for its first championship, this kind of offseason may prove more impactful than a flashier one. The Clippers didn't just sign Bradley Beal; they made the kind of mature, under-the-radar moves that championship teams often look back on as foundational. They aren't the favorites in the West. But they're close enough to matter. And come playoff time, that's all they'll need. Financial precision under a hard cap Heading into the Beal signing, the Clippers were already walking a financial tightrope. With an active roster cap of $187 million, they were just $8.9 million below the first apron threshold, according to Spotrac. By using their remaining $5.35 million in non-taxpayer mid-level exception money to ink Beal, LA now sits around $3.5 million under the apron. That gives them just enough room for one or two veteran minimum contracts, likely reserved for a backup point guard. Potential candidates include former Clippers Russell Westbrook or Chris Paul, while Malcolm Brogdon, Cory Joseph, Cameron Payne, or even Ben Simmons could be added for depth. Beal's role in the Clippers' machine Beal's time in Phoenix was underwhelming. Plagued by inconsistency and a limited role behind Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, he averaged just 17.6 points per game over two seasons. That figure marked a steep decline from his days in Washington, where he twice topped 30 points per game as the team's primary option. Still, context matters. In Los Angeles, Beal will again be the third option, but it's a better environment. Unlike Phoenix, James Harden is an elite playmaker, and Kawhi Leonard often misses time. That means Beal's offensive usage should organically increase, giving him opportunities to return to his 20+ PPG form. While injuries and age may prevent a full career resurgence, Beal has the tools to become a valuable third star, especially if he can stay healthy and hit open shots off of Harden and Leonard's gravity. Offseason moves that changed the equation The Clippers could've run back last year's 50-win squad and justified it. Leonard only played 37 games, and still, they managed to secure a strong playoff seed. But this front office chose activity over complacency: Brook Lopez joined the roster as a high-IQ, floor-spacing big who can partner with Ivica Zubac to give LA one of the league's best defensive frontcourts. Meanwhile, John Collins came in via a three-team trade that sent Norman Powell to Miami. Though Powell may be the more dynamic scorer, Collins is a better positional fit and allows more lineup flexibility. And now, Bradley Beal, potentially the final piece to a championship-caliber puzzle. In total, they brought in Bradley Beal, John Collins, and Brook Lopez, while re-signing key veterans James Harden, Nicolas Batum, and Trentyn Flowers. Each signing addressed a specific roster weakness or fortified the team's championship ambitions. The Clippers believe this version of the roster can contend, and perhaps even steal the Western crown if things break right. Related: Bradley Beal's plans for 2026 free agency after signing with Clippers Related: Bradley Beal's agent makes 'best version' prediction for Clippers tenure
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Bradley Beal signing with Clippers draws hyped responses from Tyronn Lue, Lawrence Frank
The post Bradley Beal signing with Clippers draws hyped responses from Tyronn Lue, Lawrence Frank appeared first on ClutchPoints. After clearing waivers on Friday afternoon, Bradley Beal officially signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. The team announced the signing via a press release with comments from President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank and head coach Tyronn Lue. The former three-time NBA All-Star now brings his talents to Los Angeles looking to jumpstart his career after a couple of rough seasons with the Phoenix Suns. Bradley Beal signing draws strong response from Lawrence Frank Bradley Beal officially cleared waivers on Friday and signed a deal with the LA Clippers. The contract is reportedly a two-year, $10.9 million deal worth the remainder of the Clippers midlevel exception after signing Brook Lopez to a two-year, $18 million deal. 'Brad is one of the most talented shooting guards in the NBA,' Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said in a press release Friday. 'He is a two-way player and an accomplished three-level scorer who brings additional shooting, ball-handling and creation to the team. 'Brad had a lot of options this summer, for good reason, and we're honored he chose the Clippers. We look forward to providing him with all the support he needs to reach the high standards he's set throughout his decorated career.' Beal is a 13-year NBA veteran and former third overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The 32-year-old guard has career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals in 801 regular-season appearances. Bradley Beal struggled in his last two seasons after being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023. His boxscore numbers look solid with averages of 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three, and 80.8 percent from the free-throw line. But the three-time All-Star played just 106 of a possible 164 regular-season games was one of the poorest individual defenders in the league and was on a roster that was simply not fit to capitalize on his strengths while hiding his weaknesses. The Clippers, on the other hand, have all the tools necessary to help Bradley Beal on both ends of the floor. LA finished with the third best defensive rating in the NBA last season at 109.4 points per 100 possessions and the fifth best net rating in the league at +4.9 points per 100 possessions. With James Harden at the point-guard position, a fully healthy Kawhi Leonard expected to start training camp for the first time since he joined the Clippers, and the rise of star center Ivica Zubac, Bradley Beal should be a seamless fit into what the Clippers want to build in Los Angeles. That's not even factoring in some of the newest additions in John Collins and Brook Lopez in addition to some of the versatile role players on the team like Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn, and Derrick Jones Jr. 'Players of this caliber are very rare, and they're hard to come by,' said head coach Tyronn Lue. 'Brad has been an All-Star. He's been in a race for the scoring title. He's been the best player on his team. You can put him in so many different spots, and he'll find ways to score: out of pick-and-roll, coming off screens, catch-and-shoot. 'He can create his own or he can play off the ball. He's a great cutter. He's also a great playmaker who is going to make everybody else better. I'm excited he's with us.' The Clippers have everything necessary to rejuvenate Bradley Beal's career following a couple of rough seasons in Phoenix. Even his agent, Mark Bartelstein, recently said in an interview that Beal is hoping to sign a long-term deal with the Clippers in the summer of 2026. 'The hope is everything goes well with the Clippers, and the Clippers are a team that's going to have a lot of cap room this summer, and the goal is to sign a long-term deal with the Clippers this summer,' Mark Bartelstein said in an interview with Front Office Sports. 'That's the goal, but that player option is just there as a security blanket, a 'God-forbid' type of thing. And that's the purpose of it. 'What happens with player options is sometimes we deal with a salary cap in the NBA that is stringent at times It puts a lot of restrictions on what teams can do, and so if the team is getting a player for a below-market value deal because that's tone of the tools they have to pay that player. 'The player option will often come in place as an insurance policy to give the player something to fall back on if things don't go well, but the intention is certainly to opt out and get back into the market to reclaim your value, and that's what's going to happen with Brad. 'Brad doesn't like change. It's one of the reasons he stayed in Washington so long. The goal of this is to go to LA, have an awesome season, and then re-sign a long-term deal with the Clippers this summer.' This offseason, the Clippers have seen the departures of Norman Powell, Amir Coffey, Ben Simmons, Drew Eubanks, and Patty Mills. The additions to this team have been Brook Lopez, John Collins, and Bradley Beal, with league sources telling ClutchPoints that free-agent point guard Chris Paul is expected to be the next signing for the Clippers. Related: Where LA Clippers rank in Western Conference after Bradley Beal deal Related: Bradley Beal's plans for 2026 free agency after signing with Clippers
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Suns' owner Mat Ishbia breaks silence on Bradley Beal buyout
The post Suns' owner Mat Ishbia breaks silence on Bradley Beal buyout appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Phoenix Suns owner, Mat Ishbia, has addressed the organization's decision to part ways with three-time All-Star Bradley Beal. On July 16, 2025, the Suns officially waived Beal following a buyout agreement that terminated the remaining two years of his $251 million contract. Beal, 32, signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers on July 18, 2025, including a player option for the 2026–27 season. During his brief run with the Suns, Beal averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Despite that, Beal didn't factor into Phoenix's long-term plans, which is why the team moved on from him, according to Ishbia. 'He's a great guy,' Mat Ishbia said, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. 'Just not a fit with the Phoenix Suns going forward. We told him that. We made that decision. We let them know we wanted to move forward without him. It doesn't mean he's a bad guy. It doesn't mean he's a bad player … He's a great player, but for Phoenix and what we're doing, it wasn't a fit and we had to move on and make those decisions.' Beal's acquisition was part of a high-stakes strategy initiated by Ishbia after purchasing the Suns and Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA for a record $4 billion. The franchise traded Chris Paul and five second-round picks to acquire Beal from the Washington Wizards in June 2023, following a previous blockbuster deal that sent Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and multiple first-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Kevin Durant. The aggressive approach failed, though, as the Suns won just four playoff games in Beal's two seasons, missing the postseason entirely last year. The buyout enables the Suns to stretch roughly $97 million over five years, helping the franchise fall below the NBA's first and second tax aprons. With Beal gone, Ishbia has begun reconstructing the roster around Devin Booker, who signed a two-year, $145 million contract extension. The Suns also traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, so after moving on from Beal, it's clear this team will look quite different come next season. Related: Suns' Mat Ishbia breaks silence on Bradley Beal buyout Related: Phoenix Suns' biggest mistake in 2025 NBA free agency
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Chris Paul being 'strongly considered' by Clippers as free agent option
The post Chris Paul being 'strongly considered' by Clippers as free agent option appeared first on ClutchPoints. Following the free agent signing of three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal, the Los Angeles Clippers have been in the market for a playmaker in the backup position. Now, the franchise appears poised to sign veteran free agent point guard Chris Paul. At least, that appears to be where everything is trending following comments from Clippers President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank. Chris Paul being 'strongly considered' by Clippers as free agent option The LA Clippers held a virtual media availability on Saturday afternoon with Lawrence Frank to discuss the franchise's latest move: the signing of three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal. In addition to the Beal signing, Frank was also asked about free agent point guard Chris Paul. Over the last several weeks, ClutchPoints has been reported on the mutual interest between Paul and the Clippers on a reunion, but nothing has been publicly agreed upon after the first 19 days of free agency. 'What I'd say about Chris is he's a great player and he's a great Clipper,' Lawrence Frank told members of the media over the conference call. 'He obviously possesses some of the qualities we just referenced. Of course, we're strongly strongly considering him.' Chris Paul spent six seasons of his NBA career with the LA Clippers, from 2011 to 2017. As a Clipper, Paul was named an NBA All-Star five times. Across those six seasons where played 409 regular season games, Paul averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three. The 12-time NBA All-Star made the surprising decision last season to join Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs last season, passing on other opportunities at an NBA championship in order to start for San Antonio, earn a decent amount, and help the up-and-coming Spurs franchise. 'I think we'll continue to look to reinforce our playmaking and ball handling,' Frank added of what the Clippers are looking for in one of their final two roster spots. 'Going into the offseason, it was about front-court size, versatility, diversity, and adding to our shooting and playmaking. I think we'll lean into the ball-handling and play making.' If he does decide to return to Los Angeles, Chris Paul would join forces with a couple of familiar names. Paul and James Harden spend two seasons together with the Houston Rockets from 2017-2019. Head coach Tyronn Lue was also an assistant coach on the Clippers staff during the 2013-14 season when Paul was the team's starting point guard. Over his 20-year NBA career that includes 1,354 regular season appearances, Chris Paul has averaged 17 points, 4.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 2.0 steals while shooting 47 percent from the field, 37 percent from three, and 87.1 percent from the free throw line. In 149 playoff appearances, Paul boasts averages of 20 points, 4.9 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three, and 85.4 percent from the free throw line. Related: Bradley Beal signing with Clippers draws hyped responses from Tyronn Lue, Lawrence Frank Related: Where LA Clippers rank in Western Conference after Bradley Beal deal
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Clippers rumors: Is Chris Paul signing next after Bradley Beal?
The post Clippers rumors: Is Chris Paul signing next after Bradley Beal? appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Clippers are signing Bradley Beal after the Phoenix Suns bought out the veteran guard's contract. With Beal heading to L.A., rumors are suggesting that Chris Paul is soon to follow. Reports indicate that Paul, who is 40 years old, is expected to sign with the Clippers and join Beal in Los Angeles, according to insider Brett Siegel. If the rumors are true, then L.A. will be stacked with talent, with numerous veteran guards. 'Beal will be getting the remainder of the Clippers' MLE and will hit free agency next summer with his player option to try and recover his losses from the buyout in Phoenix. Chris Paul is expected to also follow Beal and sign with the Clippers, league sources told ClutchPoints.' All signs were pointing toward Bradley Beal's buyout, as Siegel reported on Sunday that the Suns and Beal were in discussions of departing. Phoenix felt it was the right move after seeing the Milwaukee Bucks buy out Damian Lillard's contract earlier in the offseason. 'Talks between Beal and the Suns intensified on Sunday, as the two parties began to formulate the structure of a buyout agreement, sources said. Right after the Milwaukee Bucks waived and stretched superstar point guard Damian Lillard, the Suns signaled that they were ready to do the same with Beal to create cap flexibility.' Assuming Chris Paul does sign with the Clippers, then that means Los Angeles' backcourt will consist of Paul, James Harden, and Bradley Beal. There is plenty of experience between the three of them, as Beal is the youngest at 32 years old. Paul is coming off a season where he played for the San Antonio Spurs, helping the young players develop while he displayed veteran leadership. Now, the 12-time All-Star is potentially in line to sign with a Clippers team primed for a playoff run next season. That is, if Chris Paul actually does sign with Los Angeles, as the rumors are suggesting. Related: Suns rumors: How new coach tried to convince Bradley Beal to stay Related: Kendrick Perkins drops 'nothing' take on Clippers' Bradley Beal signing
