Harden, Ballmer, Lue Pitched Bradley Beal on Signing Clippers Contract After Suns Exit
Several key figures within the Los Angeles Clippers organization reportedly played a role in the recruitment of Bradley Beal this week.
Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN's Shams Charania on Wednesday that Beal agreed to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns and planned to sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, head coach Ty Lue and All-Star guard James Harden all courted Beal, which led to his decision to sign with L.A.
Per Windhorst, Ballmer and Lue reached out to Beal after the Clippers traded Norman Powell to the Miami Heat as part of a three-team deal that brought forward John Collins to Los Angeles.
Lue already had an existing relationship with Beal since they are both from Missouri.
Harden reportedly "lobbied" the Clippers' front office to make a play for Beal as a replacement for Powell, and he directly reached out to Beal as well.
The 35-year-old Harden reportedly "sold Beal on the Clippers' depth," and the fact that Powell had a career year alongside him last season.
On top of that, Harden reportedly talked about how the Clippers "embraced and helped him pivot in his career" after he didn't have the type of success he hoped for with the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden, who was a nine-time All-Star, three-time scoring champion and one-time NBA MVP during his time with the Houston Rockets, earned his first All-Star nod since 2021-22 last season and his first All-NBA selection since 2019-20.
Beal was perhaps in a similar situation that Harden once was, as he was a three-time All-Star in 11 seasons with the Washington Wizards before getting traded to the Suns.
Phoenix did not win a playoff series during Beal's two seasons there, and his production took a hit, as he averaged just 17.6 points per game after averaging 22 points per game or more for seven consecutive seasons.
Harden reportedly went the extra mile by contacting Bartelstein after getting permission from his own agents and all parties involved, which showed his desire to bring Beal to Los Angeles.
The Clippers have reached the playoffs in three straight seasons, and while they all ended with first-round exits, they won 50 games last season and ended the regular season on an 18-3 run.
The Denver Nuggets heartbreakingly eliminated the Clippers in seven games, reportedly leaving the Clips "bitter, but optimistic."
With Beal, Collins and Brook Lopez joining a core of Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers may be a dark horse to do damage next season in a stacked Western Conference led by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, among others.
