Early Monday morning, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Los Angeles Clippers, Jazz, and Heat agreed to a trade. The Clippers sent Norman Powell to Miami and a 2027 second-round pick to Utah. No longer having Powell means that Los Angeles could pursue Bradley Beal if he agrees to a buyout with the Suns.
NBA insider Marc Stein previously reported that the expectation was that the two sides were on track to agree to a buyout (subscription required) after "exploratory" trade talks with the Heat ended. Stein said that Miami would be interested in signing Beal if he hit unrestricted free agency, but that was before the Heat traded for Powell. Stein listed the Bucks as another team that could pursue Beal. The Clippers should now be on that list.
BREAKING: The Clippers, Jazz and Heat have agreed to a trade that sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Jazz, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/o0FkV0o2l8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2025
Phoenix traded for Beal in the 2023 offseason. He waived his no-trade clause to go to the Suns in a move that never panned out. Phoenix tried to trade Beal before the 2025 deadline, but he didn't want to waive his no-trade clause. It resulted in the Suns missing out on Jimmy Butler, who ended up with the Warriors.
Beal's value has declined significantly over the past couple of years due to his contract, health issues, and a dip in production, but he would be a valuable addition for the Clippers if the Suns were to buy out his contract. Phoenix will foot the bill for Beal, not LA.
Bradley Beal is actively exploring his options with other teams in anticipation of a Suns buyout, league sources tell @TheSteinLine.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2025
There will be considerable interest in Beal once he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
More NBA from me earlier today: https://t.co/dUxPR8gyAU pic.twitter.com/Blp3L0qqpZ
Clippers could pursue Bradley Beal after Norman Powell trade
Beal averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Suns this past season, shooting 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from three. He played 53 games in the 2024-25 season and 53 in the 2023-24 season, starting in every game in his first season with Phoenix, and 38 this past season.
The Clippers need another shooter after losing Powell. Beal's numbers aren't disastrous by any means, which is what you'd think if you solely paid attention to what you read on social media about him. It's not his fault that the Wizards signed him to a hefty extension with a no-trade clause, and that the Suns' front office thought acquiring him was a good idea.
If Beal wants to be in LA, the Clippers seem poised to welcome him with open arms. Los Angeles' top competition in landing the 32-year-old will be Milwaukee, a team that is desperate to do whatever it takes to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. Playing alongside Giannis could win Beal over in the end, but revitalizing his career in a new arena in LA could sway him to the Clippers.