NBA Rumors: James Harden played key role in Bradley Beal joining Clippers

After several weeks of speculation, Bradley Beal decided to leave the Phoenix Suns, and his NBA future is with the Los Angeles Clippers. As for the reasons behind this career move, some point to the influence James Harden may have had.

“He outlined how the Clippers had embraced and helped him pivot in his career after disappointing runs in Brooklyn and Philadelphia damaged his reputation,” said NBA insider Brian Windhorst, referring to an alleged conversation Harden had with Beal to convince him to accept the move to Los Angeles.

According to this version, James showed Bradley how similar their situations had been prior to arriving at the Clippers. “Beal, coming off a disappointing run in Phoenix that had similarly stunted his value across the league, could relate,” added the ESPN reporter.

It’s not hard to see the parallels between the two players’ paths. Before arriving in Los Angeles, James Harden had reached superstar status with the Houston Rockets—going as far as being named league MVP in 2018—but later had disappointing stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are the leaders of the Los Angeles Clippers.

That Brooklyn experience, in particular, is especially comparable to Beal’s time in Phoenix. Harden had gone there aiming to form a Big Three with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, but things didn’t work out as expected and he left after just one year.

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Bradley Beal leaves Phoenix for Los Angeles: Clippers’ projected lineup with James Harden, Kawhi Leonard for 2025-26 NBA season

Coincidentally, with Durant also involved, the Phoenix Suns made a similar attempt in 2023 when they brought together Devin Booker, KD, and Bradley Beal to try to replicate their 2021 campaign, which had taken them to the NBA Finals. However, that experiment didn’t go well either, and after just two seasons, the project was abandoned following a first-round playoff exit and then failing to make the postseason altogether.

Still, the references to their respective histories and similarities weren’t the only argument James Harden apparently used to convince Beal. The team’s playing style, the characteristics of his potential teammates, and their recent performances were also important factors.

“Harden sold Beal on the Clippers’ depth,” noted Windhorst, who also pointed to Harden using Norman Powell as an example, “who had a career-best season playing alongside Harden after replacing Paul George in the starting lineup last season.”

Indeed, Powell was a key piece in the Clippers’ lineup during the 2024–25 campaign. He played 60 games, all of them as a starter, and averaged 21.8 points—both career-highs since his NBA debut in 2015.

Now, with Norman Powell in the Miami Heat, the Clippers needed an experienced and high-quality shooting guard who can support Harden and Kawhi Leonard in their pursuit of that elusive NBA championship. And Bradley Beal appears to be a perfect fit for what they were looking for.