What happened?
Bradley Beal agreed to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns, reportedly giving back about $13.8–$13.9 million on the final two years of his deal. The Suns will waive-and-stretch the remainder, roughly $110 million over five years, to ease their salary cap burden
The Suns aim to clear space below the first and second luxury‑tax aprons, granting flexibility to rebuild without financial strain. This ends the “big three” experiment involving Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant—a stint that never reached expectations, with no playoff wins and a late-season collapse in 2025
Clippers land Beal — joining a revamped core
Bradley Beal is set to sign a 2‑year, $11 million deal (with a player option for 2026‑27) to join the Los Angeles Clippers
He’ll slot in alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, plus recent additions John Collins, Ivica Zubac, and Brook Lopez
Key advantages for the Clippers
- Offensive firepower – Beal is an elite scorer and playmaker.
- Balanced roster – A proven starting five now includes Harden, Beal, Leonard, Collins, and Zubac
- Salary flexibility – The contract comes at a bargain price, preserving future cap maneuverability.
- Playoff motivation – After underwhelming playoff exits, the Clippers are adding grit and veteran savvy to push deeper.
They’ll start training camp with real momentum and options to make further tweaks over the next couple of seasons.
Final take
This move marks the end of one ill-fated super-team in Phoenix, but it also signals a new kind of veteran-heavy contender in LA. Beal isn’t necessarily the final missing piece, but he brings scoring, experience, and flexibility to the table. The Clippers built a quiet but dangerous roster, betting on chemistry with Beal instead of relying on star-driven spectacle.