Key Takeaways
- The Phoenix Suns are exploring a buyout with Bradley Beal after the Kevin Durant trade.
- The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in Beal, sources told RG.
- Beal's time with the Suns has been disappointing and plagued by injuries.
Bradley Beal in action (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are among the potential landing spots for Bradley Beal if the veteran guard becomes available via buyout, league sources told RG.
Beal has two years and $110 million remaining on his contract with the Phoenix Suns. While talks are ongoing, a buyout would make the three-time All-Star an unrestricted free agent. In that scenario, Beal could choose his next destination without trade restrictions, and any team signing him could offer a new deal on their terms.
Phoenix is currently more than $10 million above the second tax apron, and stretching Beal’s salary over five years would offer valuable cap relief. A buyout would provide flexibility as the Suns reshape their roster following the recent trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.
Beal averaged 17.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds on 50.5% shooting and 40.7% from 3-point range over two seasons in Phoenix. He appeared in just 53 games each year and has not played more than 60 games in a season since 2020–21. Despite durability concerns, team executives around the league still view Beal as a capable offensive weapon who could thrive in a complementary role on a contender.
On Monday, the Clippers agreed to a three-team trade with the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat that sent Norman Powell to the Miami Heat, John Collins to Los Angeles, Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Utah Jazz. The deal opens a more straightforward path for the Clippers to pursue Beal as they retool their perimeter rotation.
With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden still in place, Beal would give the Clippers a reliable complementary scoring option who can make plays on and off the ball. Powell’s departure frees up touches and minutes on the wing, giving Beal a natural fit as Los Angeles looks to maximize what may be one of the final prime years for its current core.
The Clippers are coming off a 50-win season that ended with a Game 7 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round. They’ve since added Brook Lopez to bolster their frontcourt and remain aggressive in the market. Team governor Steve Ballmer has continued to push an all-in approach.
Meanwhile, according to RG sources, the Warriors are also monitoring Beal’s situation and remain linked to veteran big man Al Horford. With the Boston Celtics entering a retooling phase following Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, Golden State is considered a strong candidate to land Horford once free agency begins.
Adding Beal would give the Warriors another scoring threat alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, helping ease Curry’s workload entering his 17th NBA season. Golden State finished 48-34 last year, advanced past the Rockets in the first round, and was eliminated by the Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
The Warriors also face a stalled restricted free agency situation with forward Jonathan Kuminga. RG sources said sign-and-trade talks — most notably with the Sacramento Kings — have yet to gain meaningful traction.
Beal’s next move could shape the second wave of free agency. While no buyout has been finalized, multiple teams are preparing their pitches in case he becomes available.
