Chris Paul is returning to the Los Angeles Clippers, so there’s no need to worry about him choosing a new jersey number for the upcoming season. His new teammate, Bradley Beal, who has worn No. 3 throughout his career, generously offered the number to Paul, allowing the veteran to continue what might be his final NBA season.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, revealed on Tuesday that Beal willingly gave up his iconic No. 3 jersey for Paul, who has been associated with that number for two decades. Frank shared that Beal expressed his desire to hand over the number as soon as he heard Chris was returning, and Paul might not even be aware of this kind gesture yet.
This isn’t the first time such a gesture has happened. Last season, when Paul joined the San Antonio Spurs, forward Keldon Johnson also relinquished the No. 3 jersey for him.
At age 40 and potentially a future Hall of Famer, Paul has had an illustrious career, finishing third in the league multiple times and having an impressive tenure that includes 1,354 games and over 23,000 points. He’s been a 12-time All-Star, a 4-time All-NBA First Team member, a 7-time All-Defensive First Team honoree, and part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team among many other accolades.
Paul previously played for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 and holds the franchise records for assists and steals. This season, he is expected to take a bench role but remain valuable to the team, having played 82 games last season with averages of 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Frank emphasized Paul’s professionalism and adaptability, noting that Chris has been great at accepting varied roles, sometimes playing extensively on certain nights and less on others.
Fan Take: Chris Paul’s return to the Clippers and the respect shown by Bradley Beal in giving up his jersey number highlights the deep admiration and legacy Paul has built in the NBA. For basketball fans, this symbolizes not only the passing of the torch but also the enduring impact of one of the game’s greats potentially wrapping up his iconic career, inspiring both teammates and fans alike.
