Bradley Beal's Agent Says Goal Is for SG to Sign Long-Term Clippers Contract in 2026

Bradley Beal's agent, Mark Bartelstein, explained that his client is focused on signing a long-term contract with the Los Angeles Clippers after the 2025-26 season.

“Brad did not want to go anywhere where he would be a one-year rental or he would go somewhere where they’re getting a massive talent grab for a year, try to help them win a championship and then move on to somewhere else,” Bartelstein said, via Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports. “Brad doesn’t like change. It’s one of the reasons why he stayed in Washington so long. So the goal of this is to go to LA, have an awesome season and then re-sign a long-term deal with the Clippers [next] summer.”

Beal signed a two-year deal worth $11 million to join the Clippers as a free agent on Wednesday after the Phoenix Suns bought out the shooting guard's contract.

The second year in his agreement with Los Angeles contains a player option.

Beal still had two years and $110 million remaining on a five-year, $251 million contract that he signed with the Washington Wizards in 2022 and included a no-trade clause. He gave back $13.9 million to complete the buyout with the Suns, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Now, Beal will be joining a Clippers squad that has made the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons.

“We just thought the Clippers presented an opportunity for Brad to really be the best version of himself, to get back to being exactly who he is, which is a multiple time All-Star and All-NBA player,” Bartelstein said, via Schiffer.

Beal's availability issues and defensive concerns combined with his hefty contract led to his departure from Phoenix, but he was still an enticing option for Los Angeles on a smaller salary.

The three-time All-Star averaged 17.0 points and 3.7 assists per game last season, shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point territory.

With James Harden taking some of the ball-handling responsibilities off Beal as well as Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac potentially mitigating his defensive woes, Los Angeles' 2025-26 starting lineup is imposing.

Even though Beal can potentially enter free agency again in 2026, he's looking to stay with the Clippers beyond one year.