Bradley Beal begins a new stage of his career as he joins the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2025-2026 NBA season. The three-time All-Star guard is seeking redemption after his stint with the Phoenix Suns and hopes to contribute to a title-contending team that combines experience, talent, and depth.
In a conversation with Lou Williams, Beal reflected on his own journey and found inspiration in James Harden’s path. He noted that Harden had also faced intense media criticism during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Beal pointed out that many analysts overlook the adjustments veteran stars like Harden must make to adapt to new roles, lead through unselfishness, and raise the level of their teammates.
Beal and What He Learned From Harden
Since leaving the Houston Rockets, Harden has transitioned from being a primary scorer to a playmaker. During his time with the 76ers, he formed one of the league’s most productive duos alongside Joel Embiid, helping the center win an MVP award thanks to his average of 10.6 assists per game across two seasons in Philadelphia. He also helped Tyrese Maxey grow into a 20-point-per-game player.
Although playoff failures hurt his legacy, Harden’s contributions as a creator and floor general remain undeniable.
Beal has faced similar scrutiny in recent years. Injuries limited him to fewer than 60 games per season during his two years with the Suns, and his average of 17.6 points on 50.5 percent shooting across 106 games was not appreciated as much as it deserved. Now 32, Beal has decided to block out outside narratives and focus on performing at his best in his new role with the Clippers.
Speaking on media day, Beal said that after talking with Harden about his career path, he realized they had similar experiences. He mentioned that Harden reminded him that even when performing efficiently, people still criticized him, despite the fact that he helped Embiid win an MVP in Philadelphia.
Beal’s Challenge With the Clippers
With ongoing uncertainty around Kawhi Leonard’s health, the partnership between Harden and Beal will be crucial to the Clippers’ success. Harden may no longer be at his peak, but he remains a decisive player capable of controlling the tempo and finding open teammates on nearly every possession.
Beal arrives to complement that style with scoring, consistency, and a winning mindset. If he can emulate Harden’s ability to ignore outside pressure and let his performance speak for itself, the Clippers could become one of the most dangerous offenses in the NBA.
The key will be chemistry. If both players can find the right balance between scoring and playmaking, the Clippers may finally take the competitive leap that has eluded them in recent seasons.
