Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and will sign with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal. The Clippers had $5.35 million remaining on their non-taxpayer midlevel exception to sign Beal. The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers were among the other teams with interest in Beal.
Beal had two years and $110.8 million remaining on his deal with the Suns. Beal had to give back at least $13.8 million in a buyout to stretch his salary.
Beal remained a productive player during his two seasons with the Suns, but the fit with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant wasn’t as strong as they envisioned. Beal also was no longer performing at a max contract level. In 53 games last season, Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Beal is represented by Reggie Brown and Mark Bartelstein.
The Suns will be taken out of the first and second aprons with the waive-and-stretch of Beal.
James Harden was a critical part of the recruiting process to get Beal to pick the Clippers.