Bradley Beal gives the Clippers another starting option in a backcourt led by Darius Garland, while several younger players now have to compete for smaller roles.
Bradley Beal's new two-year deal puts him back in a Clippers backcourt that was already moving toward a younger group.
Darius Garland can run the offense, Beal can work beside him as a scorer and rookie Keaton Wagler can develop without having to handle a full starting job right away.
The arrangement gives coach Tyronn Lue several ways to build a second unit.
Beal can leave early and return with the reserves, Garland can stay attached to the starting group, and the Clippers can keep one experienced ball handler on the floor through most of the game.
Beal Fits Next to Garland
Lue explained Beal's range when Los Angeles first added him, saying, “Players of this caliber are very rare, and they’re hard to come by.
He’s been the best player on his team.
You can put him in so many different spots and he’ll find ways to score: out of pick-and-roll, coming off screens, catch-and-shoot.
He can create his own or he can play off the ball.
He’s a great cutter.
He’s also a great playmaker who is going to make everybody else better.”
Beal appeared in only six games last season and averaged 8.2 points in limited minutes, so Los Angeles still has to learn how much work he can handle after hip surgery.
His best fit may come as a secondary creator who can attack after Garland moves the first defender.
Garland averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 Clippers games, and Lue has already talked about the pace he brought to the offense.
Beal doesn't have to take that job away from him, which should keep the backcourt from turning into two guards waiting for the same possession.
An early split could let Garland open each half while Beal gets a longer stretch with the second unit.
Wagler and Dick can supply size around Beal, and Lue can change the pattern late once he sees which guard is handling pressure better.
The Wing Minutes Get Tighter
The projected starting group has Garland and Beal with Brandon Ingram, Rui Hachimura and Brook Lopez.
Los Angeles previously looked ready to start Wagler beside Garland, though Beal's return pushes the rookie toward a bench role where his minutes can change with each matchup.
Hachimura can start at power forward or lead the reserve scoring after signing his two-year deal with the Clippers.
Derrick Jones Jr. offers more defense at that spot, while Gradey Dick can cover either wing and Isaiah Jackson can spell Lopez at center.
Bennedict Mathurin adds another scorer if he remains in the rotation, leaving Lue with more playable guards and wings than fixed minutes.
Training camp should settle who closes games because Beal's health, Ingram's ball use and the need for perimeter defense will all change that answer.
The Clippers can also use Lopez differently around each guard.
Garland works well through a ball screen, and Beal can attack after Lopez pulls a center from the rim.
Wagler may lose an opening-night start, though the season should still give him chances when Los Angeles needs more size in the backcourt.
