As a Wizard, Bradley Beal earned All-Star nods and recognition as one of the top scoring guards in the NBA. But that reality shifted in Phoenix as he shared the offense with two other premier scorers in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Beal’s adjustment never reached the level many had expected. He had one of his lowest moments in the 2024 playoffs, scoring just nine points with six turnovers in the closeout loss to Minnesota. A year later, Phoenix missed the playoffs altogether, leaving his role under heavy scrutiny.
Beal’s run in Phoenix closed with a buyout this offseason. The consensus among fans is that Beal underachieved badly with the Suns. But his new Los Angeles Clippers head coach sees the story differently. He believes Beal contributed productively but was overshadowed by Durant and Booker.
Per The Arizona Republic:
“When you play for a team like Phoenix like he did the last couple of years, you got Booker and KD, and you’re the third option,” Lue said, according to The Arizona Republic. “People like, ‘oh, he didn’t.’ He averaged 18 points, shot 50% from the field and 43% from 3.”
“Those are unbelievable stats,” Lue continued about Beal. “But when you’re playing with KD and Book, it kind of gets overshadowed. I think by coming here, I think it’s a fresh start and I think he’s going to be great for us.”
