The Los Angeles Clippers have retooled their roster, and their latest signing is Bradley Beal. The team claimed him off waivers, which could be a significant boost for the team. Team president Lawrence Frank is sure Beal can contribute offensively and defensively.
Bradley Beal had two disappointing seasons with the Phoenix Suns, which resulted in a buyout. After clearing waivers, he will now play for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he will join a loaded roster. He will be a natural replacement for Norman Powell, who left for the Miami Heat.
The Clippers’ president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, is ecstatic about Beal joining the team. He even pointed out that Beal could be a two-way star, which has drawn questions across the NBA community.
Beal is a talented offensive player, but he is not the best defender. However, Frank seems confident in the veteran guard’s potential with the Clippers.
For most of his career, Beal has been a fantastic offensive player. The Clippers have a natural scorer in Beal, which is a huge boost to the team’s offense. He was a competent defender during his time with the Washington Wizards, which was before the 2023-24 season.
After two seasons with the Suns, many people have forgotten his days as a decent defender. Of course, that was a long while ago, but Frank trusts his scouts and the Clippers’ coaches. Beal will join the Clippers roster with unique motivations.
“Rod Thorn, who was my boss in New Jersey for 10 years, was with the Washington Wizards when Brad was there. Rod said, ‘Brad Beal is one of the best two-way players in the game’ when he was with them,” Frank said to members of the Clippers media.
“I know you can pick apart someone’s game and say ‘Hey, this was what he was in Phoenix.’ The way we look at players like Brad is what they can be, not what they are.”
“We all have access to the same data and all the same games. What’s inside a guy, what’s inside his heart, and head, what does it look like in our defensive system? What I said is what I meant. I do believe Brad is a two-way player.”
The three-time All-Star wants to regain his confidence, and that is possible with the Clippers. With James Harden as his partner, he will have a facilitator to help him score at a more efficient clip. They have already talked to each other and trust they can be a good duo.
Now that Beal and Brook Lopez have joined the fold, the Clippers have a stronger team than before. Many people might say they have an older roster, but they have experience on their side. Harden and Kawhi Leonard are fantastic star players, and they now have more proven players.
Beal and Lopez are the right additions, but the rest of the team is working hard to keep improving. This will be a dangerous team to play against, especially with Ty Lue as the head coach. The Clippers want to keep proving everyone wrong, and they could do that in the 2025-26 campaign.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the championship favorites, but the Clippers could make some noise. The Clippers are not contenders at first, but they can capitalize on any opportunity. With Beal as a new player, he will want to perform and forget the issues in Phoenix.
