Amid the close-battled postseason series with the Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers' fans had an idea that executive Lawrence Frank would trade Norman Powell in the summer and find a way to help Ivica Zubac in the frontcourt, and behind him in the second unit, through the draft or a trade proposal.
At that time, Bradley Beal seemed to most likely be in the valley until his horrendous contract ended. Rumors of the Phoenix Suns trying to trade him had gone around, but Beal's no-trade-clause consent was mandatory.
Conversely, Frank had a strategy to bring in Beal that was hidden until Powell was traded to the Miami Heat. The extra space and money in the mid-level exception, plus the scoring void, hinted at one of the most significant buyouts in NBA history.
Moreover, today, Beal signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal, with a player option. This one move justifies Frank as an all-world executive, as he has added a three-time All-Star and one of the most athletic forwards in the NBA, John Collins, an All-Star talent, while bringing back James Harden and Nicolas Batum.
Yet, work still needs to be done, as the cherry-on-top addition is bound to happen in the near future.
Even with the signing of Bradley Beal, there is space for Chris Paul on the LA Clippers
There is a strong chance the LA Clippers would not have signed Bradley Beal to the mid-level exception if it ruled out Chris Paul's reunion chances. However, because both were possible, Lawrence Frank made the first domino fall.
Next is an evident, veteran-minimum offer to Paul, who played 82 games this season and averaged nearly a double-double at the age of 40, with 8.8 points and 7.4 assists.
Beal's two-year deal does not change the fact that LA still has enough room under the first apron for a veteran minimum, which is reserved for Paul. This only happens if the former Clipper chooses winning, as a fairy-tale ending to his career would be in a championship parade.
Working with Beal first was wise, as he was being bought out of a painful contract and would receive more money. Now that it has happened, the delay for Paul is over.
Although the expected day for him to agree on a reunion is unknown, it is clear the Clippers want him as their last free agent transaction of this offseason.