Bradley Beal’s inaugural season with the Los Angeles Clippers was short-lived, but he’s set for a comeback with the team.
The seasoned NBA star, a three-time All-Star, has inked a deal to stay in Los Angeles, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $13.2 million. Notably, the agreement includes a player option for the second year, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This decision follows Beal’s earlier choice to opt out of his $5.62 million player option over the offseason, a move that surprised many given his limited playing time during the previous season with the Clippers.
Beal’s 2025-26 season was cut short after just six appearances due to a hip injury. During those games, he averaged 8.2 points and 1.7 assists over 20.2 minutes each game, marking the briefest statistical showing in his 14-year professional basketball career.
The scant gameplay fell short of expectations, quite unlike the explosive player who once dazzled Washington fans with an average of 31.3 points per game, or even the version that managed 17.0 points during his concluding season with Phoenix.
The Clippers are betting there is still something useful left.
Beal returns to a roster undergoing significant change. Los Angeles has added Darius Garland and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler to its backcourt mix, while Kawhi Leonard’s future remains unresolved amid the NBA’s investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers.
That uncertainty makes Beal’s return a relatively low-cost attempt to stabilize the backcourt.
If healthy, the 33-year-old could compete for starting minutes alongside Garland while providing another ball-handler and scorer. His availability remains the larger question, however, as Beal has not played more than 60 regular-season games since 2018-19.
After getting only six games from their investment last season, the Clippers are willing to try again.
This time, both sides will be hoping Beal’s second season in Los Angeles lasts considerably longer than his first.