Dan Devine has given his opinion on what could lead to a change in Bradley Beal’s reputation as an NBA player.
After a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns, Bradley Beal signed a two-year deal with the LA Clippers.
There are a lot of doubts about the move as Beal is going to LA after a poor two seasons with the Phoenix Suns.
He averaged 18.2 points per game and 17 points per game respectively in the two years with the Suns. While it may not seem like bad numbers, Beal not so long ago averaged 30 points in the league and was one of the best scoring guards in the league.
His reputation is not at its very best, but Devine has revealed one way he can win it back.
Beal was the star on the Washington Wizards, but he wanted to win a championship and that is what led to him joining Phoenix in 2023.
At that time, it seemed like an ideal move as Beal joining forces with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker was expected to yield unstoppable offense.
However, things just did not work for the trio as all three needed the ball to score and eventually Beal had to sacrifice.
He did not part ways with the team on good terms and even put out a petty farewell message on his social media.
Beal certainly may not be the same star he once was, but Devine believes winning in the playoffs could help him gain his reputation.
Devine said: “He got paid as much as he could be paid and got a no trade clause because the Wizards were like, ‘We don’t know what the future looks without you,’ turns out the future looks grim without him.
“In order for his reputation around fandom, he’s got to do something he hasn’t done since 2017, which is be on a team that wins a playoff series.
“Like if Bradley Beal goes into the first round of the playoffs and he is like eh and the Clippers lose again, we just wind up going like right, Bradley Beal is not somebody who is a meaningful player when it comes to impacting winning on the highest stages.”
Bill Simmons questioned Beal’s move to the Clippers as he is set to once again be a third fiddle on a team.
The 32-year-old was the third option on the Suns, but his co-stars were Durant and Booker, both of whom need the ball to score. But on the Clippers, he is teammates with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Harden and Leonard can both score, but they do not need the ball to be impactful as they can fulfill other roles on the court. This will allow Beal to play his natural game.
He also has playoff experience from his time with the Wizards. He averages 22 points in the playoffs, which is decent for a player that was not on a great team.
Playing on the Clippers, Beal is expected to play on both ends, similar to Norman Powell. But the team is much more stacked this year on the defensive end with John Collins and Brook Lopez added.
He can just focus on scoring and being efficient. If Beal manages to do that, the Clippers are set for a great run in the West.
