Clippers trade clears the way to add former All-Star — or two

The Clippers added forward John Collins to a crowded big man room that already included All-Defensive team center Ivica Zubac, two-time All-Defensive teamer Brook Lopez, defensive specialist Derrick Jones, Jr. and former Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.

But they lost their best shooter in Powell, who made 41.8 percent of his three-pointers last season and averaged 21.8 points. The deal leaves L.A. quite short at guard — unless they expect another elite scorer to become available.

That player may be Bradley Beal, who is widely expected to take a buyout of the final two years of his contract with the Phoenix Suns. By trading Powell, the Clippers opened up a spot at shooting guard for Beal, while they also still have $5.3M of their mid-level exception to offer Beal, more than any of his other suitors.

That group of suitors likely no longer includes the Miami Heat now that they've added Powell. Beal has to give back nearly $14M in his buyout so the Suns can stretch his salary. Those extra dollars might matter a lot to him.

Beal would take the Clippers' 14th roster spot, and the 15th could go to a familiar face: Chris Paul.

This week, Paul announced the 2025-26 will be his last season and that he wanted to play for a team close to his family in Los Angeles. If he's willing to reunite with his old Houston teammate James Harden, CP3 would be a nice fit for a team that only has Harden and Kris Dunn at point guard.

Beal has neither completed his buyout nor picked a new team. But given the Clippers' recent moves and Paul's public statements, we could very well see two former All-Stars join a Clippers team that's looking quite imposing for next year.