The Los Angeles Clippers unceremoniously cut all-time great point guard Chris Paul during his retirement tour season in 2025-26. During a recent podcast appearance, Paul called this moment "most disrespectful" thing he's ever gone through. This disrespect for the franchise's all-time assists leader was furthered when the team allowed veteran guard Bradley Beal to wear Paul's No. 3 jersey this coming season.
Paul said the organization told him that they would retire his jersey following his release last year. Beal, who switched from No. 0 to No. 3, was asked about this change during Clippers media day. Chris and I are amazing friends.
Like I said before, his legacy is going to be up here. What I'm doing ain't got nothing to do with that," Beal replied. "I asked the team if 3 is available, they talked about it, [Lawrence Frank] talked about it.
They came back and said we’ll do it.” "I'm happy to be wearing the number I've worn my entire career," he added. Beal appeared in six games for the Clippers last season before suffering a hip injury that required season-ending surgery. The Clippers will begin their 2026-27 NBA regular-season campaign with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 21.
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