Former Suns and a jersey number: With Bradley Beal, will CP3 need new nickname?
- Chris Paul and Bradley Beal, both accustomed to wearing the number 3, will be teammates on the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Beal graciously offered to relinquish the number to Paul, acknowledging its significance as part of Paul's "CP3" moniker.
A pair of former Phoenix Suns have settled a potentially contentious subject: Who will wear No. 3 for the Los Angeles Clippers? Hint: CP3 will not need to change his nickname.
Point guard Chris Paul, who directed the Suns' 2021 NBA Finals team, has worn the number his entire 20-year career.
Bradley Beal, recently bought out by the Suns after an underwhelming two-year stay in the Valley, also has known no other number in his career. The Clippers and Beal agreed to a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option for the second season.
“Once Brad heard it’s a possibility Chris was coming, he said, ‘I want to give him my number,’ and I don’t even think Chris knows this yet," said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, in a conference call with reporters. "It’s awesome that Brad made such a great gesture like that.
"... Brad is such a great guy and an awesome teammate. ... He knows what that jersey means to Chris. There's a reason why he's CP3."
Beal hasn't played more than 60 games since the 2018-19 season, while Paul played a full 82 games last season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Frank said it was not yet decided what number Beal would wear this season.
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