Bradley Beal had opportunities to chase a championship this offseason, but the veteran guard decided staying with the Clippers was more important for one major reason: his health.
Beal re-signed with Los Angeles on a two-year, $13.1 million deal despite the Clippers undergoing major changes, with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac all gone.
The 33-year-old explained that while winning remains important, getting his body right has become the priority at this stage of his career.
“Obviously, I’m getting older,” Beal told reporters. “I can go try to win and go chase winning, and I had plenty of opportunities to go do that. But I can’t be of service to them, either, if I’m not healthy. My biggest thing is being healthy and making sure that I can consistently play, consistently be available.”
That availability has been a major issue for Beal in recent years. The three-time All-Star has missed at least 29 games in each of the past five seasons and played just six games for the Clippers last season before a left hip fracture required season-ending surgery.
He’s also currently sidelined to begin training camp with right knee inflammation.
Beal acknowledged his injury history has become impossible to ignore and said his existing relationship with the Clippers’ staff played a significant role in his decision to stay.
“It’s been a knock on me the last four or five years. And I can’t shy away from that,” Beal said. “My biggest thing is who gives me the best advantage of being available, being myself consistently. And I have a great relationship with the staff here. And I entrusted them with putting me in that position.
“I feel like if I went anywhere else, I’d be starting all over again, kind of putting a lot of unnecessary stress and pressure on myself to perform and do things. And I can’t answer and necessarily check that box yet. So giving myself time to be able to check some of those boxes before making those types of moves.”
Beal had other options available, with the Miami Heat showing interest in free agency, while the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors were also linked to him, according to the New York Post.
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