Beal set to sign with Clippers after contract buyout with Suns

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Bradley Beal is on the move.

After a disappointing two-year run with the Phoenix Suns, the superstar shooting guard is set to take his talents to the Los Angeles Clippers, announced on July 17, 2025.

The biggest NBA off-season move of the week was confirmed by ESPN’s veteran insider Shams Charania, adding that the Beal trade to the Clippers was made possible after reaching a contract buyout with the Suns.

However, Beal would have to clear all of his waivers before completing the transaction with the Clippers. After polishing the paperwork, the 13-year star is expected to sign a two-year, $11 million deal.

Beal still has two years and $110 million left on his five-year, $251 million contract with the Suns, which means that Phoenix will owe him $111 million before the buyout happened.

Despite teaming up with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the scoring trio still failed to make a deep run to the NBA Playoffs and missed the postseason for the first time since the 2020-2021 season.

Beal’s stay with the Suns was also clouded with injuries, a sight that the Suns didn’t want to see after he injured his hamstring, calf, toe, ankle, and hip in the past season.

In his first year with the Suns, Beal only played 53 games and averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.

Beal’s numbers then declined across the board in his final year, only scoring 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals, his lowest offensive production since his sophomore year with the Washington Wizards.

As per Charania, Beal’s decision to reinforce the Clippers was more of “finding the best basketball situation.”

Beal will have plenty of talent to play around with in Los Angeles and will fortify the balanced roster led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Brook Lopez, and Derrick Jones Jr.

The Clippers also saw this as a good deal, as they are looking for an offensive punch replacement for Norman Powell, who departed the franchise to join the Miami Heat.