After a disjointed two-year tenure with the Phoenix Suns, optimism is mounting for veteran shooting guard Bradley Beal to capitalize on a fresh start with the Los Angeles Clippers. The three-time All-Star’s new teammate, Ivica Zubac, foresees him enjoying a resurgent 2025-26 NBA campaign, surrounded by proven playmakers.
Beal delivered solid statistical production as a tertiary scoring option behind Suns superstars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Across 106 outings, he averaged 17.6 points per game on efficient 50.5/40.7/80.8 shooting splits. Still, questionable roster construction plagued the star-studded squad, including the absence of a true point guard during the 2023-24 campaign, an issue that was addressed with little success last season.
Phoenix endured a 13-win decrease, stumbling to an 11th-place Western Conference finish (36-46). As a result, Beal was bought out in mid-July, opening the door for LA to sign him to a team-friendly two-year, $11 million contract with a player option in Year 2. The move offers the 32-year-old a chance to restore his reputation before potentially entering 2026 free agency.
Why Does Ivica Zubac Believe Bradley Beal Will Flourish With the Clippers?
Ahead of training camp, Zubac spoke with Clippers insider Tomer Azarly about his team’s busy summer and his expectations for the upcoming season. Regarding Beal, the big man, coming off a career year in which he earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors, called him an ideal match for the veteran-laden unit.
Zubac cited Beal’s struggles adapting to playing with too many shot creators on the Suns. He then predicted the 13-year pro to thrive alongside LA star point guard James Harden and his new backup, Chris Paul.
“I think he’s going to be a great fit with us,” Zubac said. “I think the fit in Phoenix, I don’t think it was really good for him. He’s got a real point guard now in James and now Chris, too. I think that’s going to make life so much easier for him.
“We saw when he played for the Wizards, playing with a real point guard in John Wall, and then later with Russell Westbrook, he’s a scoring machine. He can get you 30 points a night, so I think the fit with us is going to be much better, and that’s going to make life much easier for him.”
Beal is projected to slot into recently departed shooting guard Norman Powell’s starting role alongside Harden, Zubac, two-way superstar wing Kawhi Leonard, and athletic rim-running forward John Collins. The lineup should feature far more synergy than Beal grew accustomed to in Phoenix. That, combined with the Clippers’ seasoned, defensive-oriented coaching staff, led by Tyronn Lue, could be a recipe for success.
The franchise is coming off a fifth-place West finish (50-32) and a hard-fought seven-game first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets. With its increased depth, it could be poised to advance beyond Round 1 of the postseason for the first time since 2021.
