The Los Angeles Clippers Have Won The Bradley Beal Sweepstakes Making The Top Of The Western Conference An Absolute Bloodbath

And there it is! When it came to the eventual break up between Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns, it was really no different from the KD situation. It wasn't "if" they were going to break up, but more "when" and once they did, "where" would they go? With KD, we learned that was the Houston Rockets in a move that certainly makes them legit contenders on paper entering this season. With Beal, considering his move was always going to come via buyout as opposed to trade, his final destination had way more possibilities simply due to the cost. He was free to pick whatever team he wanted knowing that he'd probably take a low money deal for the right situation considering the Suns are still paying him (he gave back $14M in order to be bought out), and I have to say where he ended up isn't all that surprising.

The second the Clippers traded Norm Powell to the Heat, that let you know that they most likely had a strong indication that they were going to be replacing him with Beal. And while things weren't so great as a Sun, the fact of the matter is that Beal is an upgrade over Powell in that role for the Clippers. The thing about Beal wasn't that his production stunk, he did put up 17 a game on 49.7/38% splits in 53 games, it was just that his health and his price made that entire contract situation in PHX a tough sell.

But a 31-32 year old Bradley Beal on a $5.5M deal? That definitely changes things. 

Suddenly, the Clippers' depth chart looks pretty damn legit

PG: Harden/Dunn

SG: Beal/Bogdanovic/Christie

SF: Kawhi/DJJ

PF: Collins/Batum

C: Zubac/Lopez/Niederhauser

That's a good mix of defense, size, length, shooting, shot creation etc. Of course it's also a roster with some age and health issues, but what else is new when it comes to the Clippers. For years now they've been a team that looks great on paper, but by the end of the season something usually goes wrong. At the same time, they did just push the Nuggets to 7 games this past Spring and I'd argue their roster entering next season is even better.

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And while some tried to speak Beal to the Lakers into existence

It's no surprise Beal ended up with the other team in LA. Not only is that a better situation for Beal's skillset, but it's a better team with a better chance at contention. I'm sure the Lakers will now deny they were even interested now that Beal chose the "other" team in LA. That's probably tough to stomach for Lakers fans out there, but with LeBron about to dip and that roster situation, who could blame Beal for going with the Clippers.

I thought maybe teams like MIA/BOS/MIL etc would be the destination given the price as well as what a bloodbath the West is and the fact that Beal is looking for his first ring. What's going to be fascinating these next few years is how many other big money contracts we see go this buyout route if a team is in 2nd apron hell. We saw Dame get bought out/stretched so the Bucks could bring in Myles Turner, despite what that did for their future books. The Suns now did the same so they could get under the aprons as they begin their rebuild, so is this now the way? If so, then being under the 2nd apron is even more important because if you've over it, then you cannot sign these high money buyout players. Finding these low cost/potential high reward players is going to be so important for expensive rosters, especially if this trend becomes the norm.

For most teams, having a ton of dead money on your books seems pretty stupid in this new CBA world, but it all depends on where you are. For the Suns, it's probably worth it given what it now opens up for them in terms of roster building. For the Bucks, it might not be the best situation, but their hands were tied given they had to do something in order to keep Giannis.

If you look across the landscape in the West, with Beal now in the mix, I don't see why the Clippers shouldn't be considered the 3rd or 4th best team in the West, barring injury. That's a big potential roadblock, but on paper? There aren't too many holes. They replaced the shooting they lost with Powell while also bringing in another legit playmaker/ball handler next to Harden. Given seeds 3-5 all won 50 games last year (Clips were 5th), why can't they finish higher since they now have a better roster?

All I know is I already cannot wait for October. Sure, my favorite team is about to have a season from hell, but the West? That's going to be a season-long bloodbath that should be wildly entertaining.