Beal to take over Paul's legendary No. 3 jersey at Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal will return to wearing No. 3 next season, a number long associated with Chris Paul at the club. Beal stressed the move does not diminish Paul's legacy.
NBA club Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal will wear jersey number 3 during the 2026/2027 season, ESPN reports. A jersey bearing the number has already appeared in the club's online store, though Beal himself stated on social media that the choice does not lessen the legacy Chris Paul left behind at the franchise.
The 33-year-old Beal wore number 3 throughout his first 13 NBA seasons, playing for the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns. After joining the Clippers in the summer of 2025, he was initially assigned the number as well, but once Paul returned to the team, Beal gave it up to the veteran and chose to play with number 0 instead.
Paul's legacy at the club
Paul wore number 3 for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, and again during a brief return last season. In December, the club unexpectedly sent him home from a road trip, effectively ending their relationship, and in February the 21-season veteran announced his retirement, later calling the split from the Clippers one of the most undignified moments of his career.
Paul remains the franchise's all-time assists leader and helped the team reach the playoffs six seasons in a row, forming the core of the famed "Lob City" era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Club president Lawrence Frank had reportedly promised Paul that his number 3 would eventually be retired, and Beal's decision to wear it does not rule out that possibility.
Beal played just six games in his first season with the Clippers due to injury. This summer he signed a new two-year, $13.2 million contract with the Los Angeles club and aims to return to the court next season wearing his familiar number 3.
