Bradley Beal wasn’t interested in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers because the team wanted him to come off the bench, according to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.
After getting bought out by the Phoenix Suns, Beal signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, who plan to start him alongside James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, John Collins and Ivica Zubac.
“Bradley Beal did not hold interest in joining the Lakers despite the team holding extensive conversations with him and his representation, sources said,” Siegel wrote. “Unlike his role in the starting lineup with the Clippers next to James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, the Lakers wanted him to be their sixth man behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.”
Harden recruited Beal to the Clippers, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in seven games. LAC has never been to the NBA Finals.
Beal played in 53 games for the Suns last season. He averaged 17.0 points while shooting 49.7% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line.
A Florida product, Beal has appeared in 801 games with the Washington Wizards and Suns. He has career averages of 21.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 postseason in five games. They have the second-most (17) championships in NBA history.
The Lakers have been busy this offseason. After losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles signed Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart.
The Clippers have been active as well. They traded Norman Powell to the Miami Heat and acquired Collins from the Utah Jazz before signing Beal.
LAC also signed NBA legend Chris Paul.
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