The Los Angeles Clippers have endured a tough start to the season, which is cause for concern with the NBA’s oldest roster. Adding to the team’s struggles is three-time All-Star guard Bradley Beal, who suffered a season-ending hip injury. A top NBA insider recently revealed the Clippers’ next move in the aftermath of losing Beal.
What Is The Clippers’ Next Move After Losing Bradley Beal?
NBA insider Jake Fischer announced the Clippers are pursuing a disabled player exception. Fischer said, “The Los Angeles Clippers have applied for a disabled player exception, according to league sources, as a result of losing Bradley Beal to a season-ending hip injury.”
The NBA’s Disabled Player Exception allows teams to sign a replacement player if a player suffers a season-ending injury. The exception is tied to the league’s salary cap, so the Clippers would only be able to add another player at 50 percent of Beal’s salary or the amount of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. Another key part of the application is that an NBA-designated physician must confirm that Beal will be out for the season before the Clippers are approved.
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Beal suffered a hip fracture, ending what he hoped would be a bounce-back season. He appeared in six games for the Clippers this season, averaging 8.2 points per game on 37.5% shooting from the field and 36.8% shooting from three. He was the face of the Washington Wizards franchise for several years, including two seasons where he averaged more than 30 points per game.
However, the Wizards were unable to achieve much success, which ultimately led to Beal agreeing to leave and head to the Phoenix Suns. The hope was that Beal would be the third piece of a high-octane trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, taking the Suns back to the NBA Finals.
Instead, Beal’s time in Phoenix was a complete disaster, resulting in his value around the league plummeting. He agreed to a contract buyout with the Suns this past summer, and the Clippers signed him to a two-year $11 million contract with a player option in the second year.
The Clippers are 12th in the Western Conference standings with a 4-11 record. The team revamped its roster to supplement stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, but the early returns aren’t promising. Leonard is currently dealing with a sprained right ankle and foot, and Beal’s injury adds even more tension to a team with perhaps the most sense of urgency in the entire league.
If approved, the Clippers can utilize the exception to sign a free agent, make a trade, or make a waiver claim, so expect them to attempt to acquire an impact player.
