Clippers Trading Norman Powell To Heat ‘Seen As Precursor’ To Bradley Beal Signing

According to NBA insider Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the Los Angeles Clippers trading Norman Powell to the Miami Heat is “seen as a precursor” to the team signing Bradley Beal. 

The Phoenix Suns and Beal will agree to a buyout soon, which would make Beal an unrestricted free agent. 

“Los Angeles trading away Powell — a sharpshooting, ball-handling wing, a role the Clippers need filled next to James Harden — is seen as a precursor to the Beal signing, league sources told NBC Sports,” Helin wrote.

“While Beal could start in place of Kris Dunn in the Clippers’ backcourt, for defensive purposes, the better fit would be for Beal to come off the bench with a second unit that includes John Collins (unless Collins starts and Derrick Jones Jr. comes off the bench), Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Brook Lopez. The Clippers can offer Beal either the remaining portion of their mid-level exception (estimated to be approximately $5.3 million) or the room exception ($5.1 million).”

Beal played in 53 games for the Suns last season. The 32-year-old averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line. 

A three-time All-Star, Beal has appeared in 801 NBA games with the Washington Wizards and Suns. He has career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 46.4% overall, 37.6% from 3 and 82.1% from the foul line.

The Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in seven games. The franchise has never been to the NBA Finals. 

The Suns won zero playoff games in the Beal era. They were swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2024 playoffs and missed the postseason last season. 

Phoenix traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and six draft picks. Mike Budenholzer was fired as head coach after one season and replaced by Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott.