James Harden Played Big Role in Bradley Beal Signing With Los Angeles Clippers
NBA legend James Harden played a big role in Bradley Beal signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Harden, a top 75 player of all time, recruited Beal to the Clippers.
Bradley Beal received interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Florida product is signing a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers.
LAC lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in seven games. The front office has been busy this offseason, signing James Harden to a new contract, acquiring John Collins from the Utah Jazz and trading Norman Powell to the Heat.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is expected to start Harden, Beal, Kawhi Leonard, Collins and Ivica Zubac next season.
A three-time All-Star, Beal averaged 17.0 points for the Suns last season in 53 games while shooting 49.7% from the field, 38.6% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line.
Like the Clippers, Beal has never reached the NBA Finals. The veteran guard has played for the Washington Wizards and Suns.
Harden hasn’t been back to the NBA Finals since 2012. He has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers.
The 2018 MVP, Harden requested trades from the Rockets, Nets and Sixers.
A future Hall of Famer, Harden averaged 22.8 points and 8.7 assists for the Clippers last season in 79 games while shooting 41.0% from the field, 35.2% from beyond the arc and 87.4% from the free-throw line.
It will be fascinating to see how the Clippers fare next season. They have lost in the first round of the playoffs three years in a row.
Beal, Harden and Leonard have combined to play in 368 postseason games, so the Clippers’ top three scorers have plenty of experience on the NBA’s biggest stage.
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