BRADLEY Beal is set to reclaim his No. 3 jersey with the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2026-27 NBA season, bringing back a number that became closely associated with franchise legend Chris Paul.
Beal’s No. 3 jersey is already listed on the Clippers’ online store, while league sources told ESPN that the veteran guard plans to wear the number this season.
The move is notable because Beal switched to No. 0 during his first season with the Clippers after giving No. 3 to Paul, who returned to Los Angeles and wore the number once again.
Beal appeared to acknowledge the significance of the number on social media Thursday. “He’s a legend,” Beal wrote. “The HISTORY and BRAND can’t be touched, nor erased!!!”
Beal wore No. 3 throughout the first 13 seasons of his NBA career with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns. The Clippers initially gave him the number when he arrived in 2025, but he later offered it to Paul after the veteran point guard joined the team.
Paul’s second stint with Los Angeles was short-lived. The Clippers sent him home in December 2025, and he announced his retirement in February after 21 seasons in the NBA.
The return of No. 3 comes just days after Paul spoke openly about his departure from the Clippers, describing it as “probably one of the most disrespectful things I’ve endured.”
Paul remains one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. During the original “Lob City” era, he helped lead the Clippers to six consecutive playoff appearances alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan and became the franchise’s all-time leader in assists.
Despite the circumstances, Beal wearing No. 3 does not necessarily prevent the Clippers from eventually retiring the jersey in Paul’s honor.
For now, however, the number is returning to Beal, who wore it for most of his career before his first season in Los Angeles.
The veteran guard will look to make the most of the opportunity after an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign limited him to just six games. He later re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year, $13.2 million contract. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
