From CBS Sports · · 1m 50s
Clippers stir up Chris Paul drama with Beal's number switch
The Clippers are selling Bradley Beal jerseys with number 3, the iconic number Chris Paul wore for seven seasons before his messy exit.
In brief
The Clippers are selling Bradley Beal jerseys with number 3, the iconic number Chris Paul wore for seven seasons before his messy exit. The Clippers' decision to let Beal reclaim number 3 risks damaging their relationship with franchise legend Chris Paul, who spent seven seasons with the team and remains their…
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Beal switches back to number 3
Bradley Beal is reclaiming number 3, which he wore throughout his Washington and Phoenix careers before switching to number 0 when he joined the Clippers alongside Chris Paul last season.
Paul's number has been untouched since 2011
Chris Paul wore number 3 for seven seasons with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 and again in 2026. No other Clipper has worn the number since, and fans assumed it would eventually be retired for the franchise's all-time assists leader.
Fans and Beal respond to the backlash
Beal took to social media to defend his decision, tweeting that Paul is a legend whose history and brand cannot be touched or erased, while acknowledging the controversy online.
“He's a legend! The HISTORY and BRAND can't be touched, nor erased!!!”
Clippers have no retired numbers in franchise history
The Clippers are the only NBA team without any retired numbers, making the situation with Beal and Paul even more unusual and potentially damaging to their relationship with the franchise legend.
Move risks widening rift with Paul
Paul's messy exit from the Clippers last season was his final NBA appearance, and the number switch could damage their post-retirement relationship similar to Kevin Garnett's situation with the Timberwolves.
The headline
The Clippers' decision to let Beal reclaim number 3 risks damaging their relationship with franchise legend Chris Paul, who spent seven seasons with the team and remains their all-time assists leader.
