Clippers need to allow Bradley Beal to be himself

Throughout history, there are players that have accomplished some remarkable things, but because of unfortunate circumstances and situations, those accomplishments are easier to forget. That seems to be the case for Bradley Beal.

After a buyout with the Phoenix Suns, Beal, just signed a 2 year/$11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Now looking at the contract one would believe that is where his value sits. However, his agent Mark Bartelstein had to remind the masses of who Beal is.

Looking through many NBA players, the agent's job is to ensure his clients get paid, which in turn gets the agent paid. So it is understandable to see that Bartelstein spoke this way about Beal. However, the statement echoes the truth when it comes to this situation.

Stint in Phoenix

Beal spent the last two years with the Suns playing beside Kevin Durant who is one of the greatest scorers of all time and Devin Booker who is one of the best scorers in the league today. Not only that, but Beal was coming in after those two players that were looked as more important to the organization. So Beal automatically drops to a third option by default before he plays in a Suns jersey.

Beal's stats with the Suns

In 106 games, Beal averaged 17.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 4.3 apg as a third scoring option. When compared to the rest of the league, that is considered good to elite for someone in that role. However, that isn't the most impressive thing; while averaging his scoring output, his shooting splits go under the radar.

Not only are the raw numbers there, but the shooting splits also say very good efficency. That shouldn't be hard to believe because of the attention Durant and Booker received, the mismatch would be in Beal's matchup. Which means, better looks and there would be a handful of nights Beal would take full advantage of that.

Not only do performances like this with the Suns show the capabilities of Beal, but also the team he came from prior where he was a three-time All-Star displayed his abilities something he was held back from with the Suns.

Beal in Washington

In Beal's earlier years with the Washington Wizards, Beal was known as the same player he is now: a three-tier scorer with the right role that can have his full talent and abilities be displayed. If anyone knows Beal's game, it is his former teammate and close friend John Wall.

From 2014-2017, Beal and Wall had the Wizards in the second round of the playoffs every year and they were known as one of the top scoring duos in the NBA.

Beal's Playoff stats with Wizards

Unfortunately, the 2016-2017 season was the final year of the Beal and Wall connection at a high level. After that season, Wall, who was the Washington Wizards' franchise player, would go through multiple injuries that would leave Beal as the face to lead the franchise.

Beal had a lot of individual success with the Wizards. From 2018-2021, he established himself as an All-Star and NBA-caliber player in the NBA. Two separate seasons where Beal would average over 30 ppg; he would be the scoring leader in the NBA. 

While he earned a lot of individual success, he also experienced multiple disappointing seasons where the Wizards were non-competitive, and that did not sit well with Beal.

How does Beal help the Clippers?

Beal at age 32 is at a point of his career where he experienced being a competitive playoff team while still being a top scoring option. This is something the Clippers desperately need. While the Suns he had to take a backseat due to Durant and Booker's primary job to score, there were too many mouths to fill at one time.

However, the Clippers it seems more a fit for Beal's situation with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Leonard, while he is an elite two-way player and deadly scorer, is different from Durant, where he can make his impact in many ways. Harden's play making substitutes his need of having to get a number of shots every night like Booker. Beal would be playing the Norman Powell role as a scorer except Beal has been in this position year in and year out throughout his career and just needs the opportunity.

This could be a natural fit for everyone involved. Beal is thriving for an opportunity to remind everyone who he truly is. And the Clippers are looking to improve their mediocre to below average not only in the regular season but in the playoffs. Beal is a former scoring champion that is still in his prime. That alone should qualify him as a first or second option on the majority of teams in the NBA.