Clippers selling Beal No. 3 jerseys, hinting at possible number switch
The Clippers' online store is offering Bradley Beal jerseys with No. 3, a year after he gave up that number for Chris Paul. Beal responded on social media by praising Paul's legacy but did not confirm a change. The Clippers have not retired any jerseys, and Paul's departure last season left the number vacant.
Beal had sported No. 3 throughout his professional career until last season, when he voluntarily relinquished it to Chris Paul upon Paul's arrival. The Clippers' front office publicly commended this act of deference, noting Beal offered the number before Paul even knew about it.
The jersey listing emerges as Beal enters his second season with the franchise, following a campaign cut short by a hip fracture after just six games. He recently signed a two-year contract that includes a player option for the second year.
The sale of these jerseys could signal a shift in the Clippers' approach to honoring their past, potentially affecting fan sentiment regarding Paul's abrupt exit. If Beal switches numbers, it may boost merchandise sales and provide a sense of continuity, but it could also reopen debates about how the franchise treats its legends. Fans and collectors may view the number change as a symbolic gesture, influencing how they perceive the team's current identity versus its historical roots.