Clippers Give Bradley Beal Chris Paul's No. 3
ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon blasted the Clippers for handing Bradley Beal the No. 3 shirt long worn by Chris Paul before this season.
Brian Windhorst has criticised the Clippers for handing Bradley Beal the No. 3 shirt,
"Chris Paul is inextricably linked with the number three. And even if the end of last season didn't go the way he wanted, even if Chris Paul didn't perform the way he promised, you can't give away his number this season! And you certainly can't give it to Bradley Beal. No offence to Bradley Beal," said Windhorst.
Tim MacMahon went further. "No disrespect to Bradley Beal, but last season he wore No. 0 and scored nothing. It doesn't look like he has any influence in Los Angeles at all," said MacMahon.
Beal switched from No. 0 to No. 3 for the coming season and paid tribute to Paul on X when the move was announced on 11 September 2026. The Clippers have separately drawn scrutiny this month after journalist Pablo Torre reported that Steve Ballmer's refusal to settle pushed the NBA toward a record $30m fine and five stripped first-round picks.
If the criticism sticks, the number swap could become an early flashpoint for Beal in Los Angeles before he plays a game.
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