While nothing is official, the rumor mill seems to be pointing at Bradley Beal being bought out by the Phoenix Suns and later signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Frankly, that’s a good destination for him. So let’s take a look at that fit, as well as a few others, in case the situation changes.
Note: We’re disregarding potential salary implications, as Beal could technically sign a minimum deal with a new team because he’ll be paid plenty by Phoenix for not playing for them. After two years with the Suns, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility Beal and his family prioritize fit over paycheck.
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles just traded Norman Powell in a deal for John Collins, meaning there’s a significant hole for the Clips at shooting guard, which is the only position Beal can really play.
At 6-foot-4 and with a feathery touch, Beal would seem like a seamless fit alongside the more ball-dominant James Harden and do-it-all (when healthy) wing Kawhi Leonard. But Beal does have his own availability issues, with the 32-year-old averaging 49 games played the past four seasons.
With the Clippers strengthening their frontline via the acquisitions of Collins and Brook Lopez in free agency, a Beal signing would bring tremendous roster balance.
A lineup of Harden, Beal, Leonard, Collins, and Ivica Zubac might be one of the most potent starting units in the NBA, with a healthy mix of interior and perimeter offense.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are old, but good. They’re not at the level they used to be, but with a Beal addition, they might get one last shot to win the whole thing.
Beal is another high-volume 3-point shooter who’s hit 40.7% of his attempts the past two seasons in Phoenix. That pairs well with Stephen Curry, and especially Jimmy Butler, who needs all the space around him as humanly possible.
The presence of Beal might also allow Curry to play fewer minutes in the regular season, providing him with a chance to ramp up before the playoffs. Beal, more than likely, would welcome such a scenario as that means a return to a more involved role in the offense and more overall shots.
Of course, whether Beal is able to once again become a mid-20’s scorer remains to be seen (his scoring has steadily declined the past few seasons), but in Golden State he’ll have every chance to achieve that, especially as Butler and Draymond Green would encourage him to do so.
Milwaukee Bucks
Forget best fit. Let’s talk about biggest need, because, oh sweet baby jebus, do the Bucks need a guy who can create his own perimeter shots consistently.
Beal would instantaneously become Milwaukee’s second-best scorer and their primary long-range shot-taker.
He’d also be more or less the only way to justify that gamble, as his presence at the very least allows Milwaukee to keep its head above water for this season.
If you’re Beal in this situation, you’d also get the green light. Even alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are in such desperate need for creation, he might sleepwalk into a 20-point average.
Denver Nuggets
All right, now we’re cooking. The Clippers might be the most intriguing place for Beal in terms of building an all-around starting lineup, but the Nuggets might actually be the best fit.
Yes, it’s the Nikola Jokić factor. But oh, what a factor. Imagine Beal running off screens, cutting to the basket and getting out in transition as he’s continously fed by one-handed, no-look Joker passes, setting him up for the easiest scores he’s ever had.
Yeah, paints a pretty picture, doesn’t it?
That Nuggets unit of Jokić, Cam Johnson, Christian Braun, Beal and Jamal Murray is a legitimate championship contender, especially as the Nuggets can also stagger Beal and Jokić to offset the hit the Nuggets take when the big fella goes to the bench.
(The Nuggets were plus-21.3 points better per 100 possessions with Jokić on the floor than off it last season.)
Denver might look like an unconventional destination, but it’s one that could give Beal all he wants: shots, an important role and a chance of a title.
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