The Los Angeles Clippers may be on the verge of reshaping the Western Conference with one seismic offseason swing. With Bradley Beal and Chris Paul both expected to hit the free-agent market, the Clippers have emerged as the most likely destination for the two former All-Stars.
While nothing is official yet, league insiders believe that Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank are preparing to land both veterans in what could be a defining move for the franchise’s title hopes.
Bradley Beal, 32, is reportedly finalizing a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Suns. After joining the team in 2023 with championship aspirations, Beal’s stint in Phoenix turned into a massive disappointment.
Between injuries, on-court inconsistency, and a hefty contract that limited the Suns’ flexibility, Beal never found his footing. He averaged just 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season while making over $50 million, a number that made trade scenarios virtually impossible.
The Suns, having already lost Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, are now entering full cost-cutting mode. A proposed buyout would see Beal sacrifice nearly $14 million in salary, allowing Phoenix to waive and stretch his remaining contract over five years and fall below the league’s crushing second apron.
Once waived, Beal will become an unrestricted free agent, at which point the Clippers are expected to be the front-runners for his services.
Los Angeles isn’t stopping there.
Chris Paul, a future Hall-of-Famer and one of the most accomplished point guards in NBA history, has also announced that the 2025–26 season will be his final year in the league. He’s made it clear that he wants to finish close to his family in Los Angeles.
With Paul’s release from the San Antonio Spurs, the Clippers stand as the most fitting homecoming. Paul previously spent six seasons with the franchise during the “Lob City” era, forming an iconic core with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
This flurry of activity follows another major Clippers move: the acquisition of John Collins in a three-team trade with the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz. The Clippers sent Norman Powell to the Heat and acquired Collins, a dynamic big man coming off a season where he averaged 18.9 points and 8.2 rebounds.
His addition gives LA a bouncy, efficient frontcourt option who can thrive in both pick-and-rolls and spot-up situations, fitting seamlessly into their retooled offense.
If the Clippers pull off this triple-play of Collins, Beal, and Paul, they’ll suddenly add veteran leadership, high-level basketball IQ, and offensive punch without sacrificing their core.
Paul would provide the playmaking stability behind James Harden, while Beal’s scoring gives them another perimeter threat alongside Kawhi Leonard. Collins, meanwhile, adds athleticism and shooting in the frontcourt.
Though age and injury histories will be a concern for Beal and Paul, the Clippers aren’t planning for a rebuild; they’re chasing a ring. With Mike D’Antoni recently added to the coaching staff and Ballmer showing no hesitation to spend, the franchise is pushing all its chips to the center of the table.
In the deepening Western Conference arms race, the Clippers are loading up for one final charge.
