The Los Angeles Clippers may have solved one problem without realizing they were creating another. Bradley Beal is returning to LA on a two-year, $13.2 million deal, giving the team another experienced scorer at a reasonable price. But his arrival adds another name to an already crowded backcourt, leaving coach Tyronn Lue with a difficult question before the season even begins: how does everyone get on the floor?

That question became even louder after Clippers reporter Joey Linn assessed the situation following Shams Charania’s breaking update. 

“It will be very interesting to see how Ty Lue manages the guard rotation next season,” Linn wrote via his X handle. “Bradley Beal is returning to a group that already includes Darius Garland, Kris Dunn, Keaton Wagler, Jordan Miller, and Kobe Sanders. Then there’s the RFA of Bennedict Mathurin.”

Linn ultimately identified the problem and put it in simple words. “We’re either going to see some small lineups, someone is gonna play less than expected, or a trade is coming.”

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The Clippers have plenty of talent. But they may simply have too much of it concentrated in one area…

Darius Garland, the primary offensive organizer, while Kris Dunn provides the defensive presence that allows Ty Lue to change the look of his second unit. Bradley Beal enters that mix after agreeing to a (relatively) modest deal, creating another ball-handler and scoring option for a team that already has several players competing for similar responsibility.

But the issue here is timing. Beal was a free agent before this, and he was constantly linked to the Miami Heat. It wouldn’t have been surprising if the Clippers didn’t bring him back on the salary they did because Beal played only six games last season and averaged 8.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

LA has technically paid for the upside that Beal showcased in the 2024-25 season with the Phoenix Suns. He then averaged 17 points per game with an optimal 59.8 true shooting percentage. However, Beal’s fitness does raise a red flag because the player last met the 60-game threshold back in the 2020-21 season.

Even though it was highly expected that Beal would return to LA after he opted out of his $5.6 million player option, the 33-year-old veteran (coming off hip surgery) has somehow returned with a slightly more expensive contract despite minimal output last year…

Keaton Wagler complicates the equation further. The fifth overall pick needs meaningful development minutes after a hot-and-cold Summer League. Wagler scored seven points, two rebounds, and one assist in his SL debut against the Sacramento Kings. He shot 1 of 7 from the field and 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. It wasn’t his best performance. He looked uncomfortable, but he gradually improved with a 23-point and 26-point performance thereafter.

The point being that Wagler needs a lot more game time to get used to the physicality of this league. Meanwhile, Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders also need opportunities to establish themselves. Benedict Mathurin returning would add even more congestion if LA retains him.

That creates a straightforward basketball problem. There are only 48 minutes available at guard positions, and Ty Lue cannot maximize every player’s role.

A three-guard lineup could offer offensive firepower, but it would also place greater pressure on the Clippers defensively. Pairing Beal with Garland and Mathurin would give Lue considerable shot creation, yet the team would drastically lack in perimeter defense.

The alternative is cutting someone’s minutes. That could prove equally complicated. Beal is a veteran with an established resume. Meanwhile, Mathurin represents a younger investment with significant upside.

This is where the contract itself becomes important. Beal’s $13.2 million salary gives the front office a useful piece for roster construction. Rather than viewing the signing solely as a commitment to another guard, the Clippers could eventually use his contract as part of a larger package.

The front office could combine its perimeter depth into a different positional need. They could strengthen their frontcourt, particularly if Mathurin’s situation produces another movable salary. Currently, Mathurin is linked to the Chicago Bulls, and his reported salary demand is the full mid-level range of $15 million. A potential framework can include Isaac Okoro and draft picks going the Clippers’ way.

In this case, LA would lose a strong shooter, but Lue wouldn’t be too worried after having an army that includes Darius Garland and Rui Hachimura, both of whom will demand to shoot. It’d allow LA to turn its biggest roster problem into an opportunity.

The timing also matters for another reason. 

The Clippers are already dealing with uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard and the league’s investigation into alleged salary-cap circumvention. It has ultimately paused the deal to rope in Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick. Insider Brian Windhorst said the NBA is being extra cautious with this investigation because of the Terry Rozier props incident that is part of a larger federal case.

So, for now, Ty Lue has three options. He can embrace small ball, distribute the minutes, or cash in the trade market.