BRADLEY BEAL JOINS THE CLIPPERS!” The three-time All-Star agrees to buy out his contract with the Suns and signs a 2-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers with a player option.

Warriors Outbid for Bradley Beal as Clippers Land Veteran Guard in Free Agency Shake-Up

The Golden State Warriors were among the suitors for Bradley Beal this offseason, but their pursuit fell short as the veteran guard ultimately signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel.

After reaching a buyout with the Phoenix Suns, Beal became one of the most coveted names on the market. Multiple contenders lined up for his services, but financial constraints shaped the competition. The Warriors, facing salary cap limitations and the looming threat of luxury tax penalties, reportedly offered Beal nothing more than a veteran minimum contract—a move that effectively took them out of serious contention.

“Golden State also wasn’t willing to offer more than the minimum,” Siegel reported on X (formerly Twitter), grouping the Warriors with other cap-strapped franchises.

The Milwaukee Bucks were said to have made a “very strong push” for Beal, emerging as a serious destination, while the Miami Heat, fresh off acquiring Norman Powell, were also limited to offering only the minimum.

Beal, 32, entered free agency after agreeing to a buyout with the Suns, despite having two years left on his contract. Exercising his no-trade clause throughout the 2024–25 season, Beal blocked Phoenix from moving him at the trade deadline. With his buyout finalized, he chose the Clippers over offers from Milwaukee, Miami, and Golden State—favoring both a larger role and a more lucrative contract.

Warriors’ Offseason Strategy: Balancing the Present and the Future

Golden State’s reported interest in Beal highlights the franchise’s effort to retool around franchise icon Stephen Curry and core veterans Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III. Butler, acquired in a midseason trade from the Heat, joined the Warriors before their playoff run ended in the second round against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors have remained active this summer, with rumors swirling about a potential move for veteran forward Al Horford. Meanwhile, restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is expected to stay, despite previous sign-and-trade speculation; the 22-year-old forward remains a key part of the team’s future.

Beal, who averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game last season for the Suns while shooting an efficient 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from three, now joins a Clippers roster led by Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac. Los Angeles is aiming to remain a contender in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.

For the Warriors, the decision not to match or exceed the Clippers’ offer reflects a new, measured approach under the latest collective bargaining agreement, which imposes stricter penalties for exceeding the salary cap. Golden State is now focused on maximizing the championship window with Curry while maintaining financial flexibility and developing young talent.

Beal’s move to the Clippers marks a rare instance where the Warriors were outbid in free agency, signaling a shift in the franchise’s strategy as they navigate a new era of NBA economics.