NBA Trade Report: Bradley Beal to join the LA Clippers after reaching a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns

Veteran guard Bradley Beal is on the move once again, as he is reportedly close to signing with the Los Angeles Clippers after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns.

The development was confirmed by NBA insider and ESPN reporter Shams Charania, who shared the news on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers,” Charania wrote.

As part of the buyout agreement, Beal is expected to return approximately $14 million of the $110 million remaining on the final two years of his contract with the Suns. The 32-year-old originally signed a five-year, $251 million deal — which included a rare no-trade clause — in July 2022 with the Washington Wizards.

Beal reportedly drew interest from several other NBA teams, including the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he ultimately chose the Clippers — a decision heavily influenced by James Harden. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Harden played a key role in convincing both Beal and the Clippers’ front office to finalize the deal.

BREAKING: Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gxZB0ObSms

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2025

“Harden sold Beal on the Clippers’ depth and talked about how he would fit well with Norman Powell, who had a career-best season playing alongside Harden after replacing Paul George in the starting lineup last season. He outlined how the Clippers embraced and helped him pivot in his career after disappointing runs in Brooklyn and Philadelphia damaged his reputation. Beal, coming off a similarly disappointing stint in Phoenix that hurt his value around the league, could relate,” Windhorst reported.

“Harden even took the unusual step of speaking with Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, after all parties — including Harden’s agents — approved the conversation. Recruiting a star peer is common in the NBA, but recruiting another agent is not. No one wants to be released; there’s heartache in that. But Bradley wants to be in a position where people forget how he was released — and remember how he plays next season,” he added.

Beal played two seasons for the Suns, appearing in just 53 games each year. Notably, he hasn’t played more than 60 games in a season since 2020–21.

Last season, he averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game across 53 appearances, starting in 38 of those contests. Over his career, he holds averages of 21.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds across 801 games with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns.

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