Bradley Beal is heading into free agency after turning down his $5.62 million player option with the Clippers, and the move gives him a chance to see whether the market offers more than that deal did.
Chris Haynes reported that Beal has declined the option and will become an unrestricted free agent after playing only six games last season because of a hip injury. At 33, the biggest issue for teams weighing a pursuit will be his health, especially with Beal still working back from surgery.
Even with the opt-out, Los Angeles may not be done with him. The Athletic’s Law Murray reported the Clippers remain interested in bringing Beal back, and NBA reporter Mark Medina said that interest runs both ways.
Atlanta, meanwhile, is making a much smaller swing. The Hawks have agreed to acquire Devin Carter and a future second-round pick from Sacramento, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Carter entered the league as the 13th overall pick in 2024, but injuries and uneven play kept him from establishing much of a foothold with the Kings. For Sacramento, the deal also creates a bit of salary relief as it tries to get under the luxury tax.
The Hawks aren’t giving up much to see whether the 24-year-old can still unlock the promise that made him a lottery pick. Whether he ends up staying in Atlanta or becomes part of another move is still an open question.
Detroit also stayed busy on the margins of its offseason. The Pistons exercised team options on guard Daniss Jenkins and center Tolu Smith, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith.
Jenkins turned into one of the season’s quieter success stories after moving from a two-way deal into a regular rotation role, where he averaged 9.3 points and earned the staff’s trust.
Smith played in 15 regular-season games, but with Isaiah Stewart now in Memphis, he’ll have a shot to compete for a bigger role in the Pistons’ frontcourt when training camp opens.
In Other News...
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For the Clippers, the appeal is obvious: Summer League starts July 9, and every possession is a scouting report in motion. Loyer should get plenty of chances to show whether his shooting can translate against NBA athletes, and he will do it in a setting where clean looks, quick decisions and simple fit can matter as much as raw scoring. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers May Have Found A New Answer To Their Biggest Roster Hole
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Landale's path through last season was anything but ordinary, with trades and quick turnarounds forcing him to adapt on the fly. He still managed to put together productive stretches, and the Clippers are clearly intrigued enough to keep tabs on what he might bring if they decide to add another big man, even if nothing is official yet. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Just Sent A Clear Message About Their Young Core
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For a team that has spent plenty of time weighing how to balance short-term competitiveness with longer-term flexibility, the move suggests the young core is still part of the conversation. The qualifying offers give the Clippers first crack if another team comes calling with an offer sheet, and the front office now has a bit of leverage as free agency settles in around a trio it appears reluctant to lose. [Read more 🡒]