While Bradley Beal may be a legend in D.C. and one of the greatest Washington Wizards in history, a reason why the LA Clippers are being criticized for signing the three-time All-Star is due to how his stint with the Phoenix Suns unfolded, from day one to the finale.
The Suns completely disregarded his no-trade clause and traded four first-round picks for Beal, plus Chris Paul and more, due to his last season with the Wizards. In those 50 games (2022-23), the veteran scorer averaged 23.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, shooting 50.6% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range.
Furthermore, the Suns assumed they had formed the next great big three by adding Beal alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, relieving the hearts of their loyal fans who had one wish: to return to the NBA Finals and settle unfinished business.
Conversely, Suns fans quickly realized that despite numerous seasons of relentless scoring, Beal never took the Wizards far into the playoffs. Injuries were also a concern, and by the end of his era in The Valley, he played 106 games, was swept in the postseason once, and missed the play-in tournament in the other.
Moreover, the diverse opinions surrounding Beal are fair, with history playing a major factor. However, ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon came through and saved the day for Clippers fans by providing them with valid reassurance about the addition of the 32-year-old star.
Tim MacMahon gives Clippers Nation nothing but reasons to be excited about Bradley Beal’s arrival in Inglewood, California
Aside from the fact that the LA Clippers signed a player who could still average over 25 points per game in a particular situation, Tim MacMahon reminded fans that Bradley Beal is on a remarkably affordable deal and is well-suited to play alongside James Harden.
“This is the best team in LA getting better. This is a team that pushed the nuggets to 7 that got significantly better today”- @espn_macmahon pic.twitter.com/mD2SpXHmxw
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) July 16, 2025
To Macmahon’s point, Beal logged an efficient 17 points this season over 53 games and 38 starts, which is extremely beneficial to add to a team that lost to the Denver Nuggets in seven games. This is the same team that also went to seven and faced defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2025 NBA champions.
MacMahon's words of excitement and enthusiasm for those worried are one-hundred percent accurate, and although questions rightfully remain, the bigger picture matters, and that is the fact that LA secured a premier scorer into their core next season for less than $6 million annually.