James Harden played a major role in bringing Bradley Beal to the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency.
Clippers president Lawrence Frank revealed the effort Harden put in to recruit Beal to the Clippers after Beal negotiated his buyout with the Phoenix Suns. Harden even got on the phone with Beal’s agent Mark Bartelstein to explain how Beal would thrive in the Clippers’ system.
When I asked who was part of the meeting with Bradley Beal, Lawrence Frank said James Harden spent over 30 minutes on the phone with Bradley Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, explaining why the LA Clippers were the best fit for Brad and how they would be able to place him in the…
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 19, 2025
There is nothing unusual about a player recruiting another player to a team. Harden went above and beyond by getting on the phone with Beal’s agent, though.
One reason Harden might have enthusiastically recruited Beal is that joining the Clippers helped revive his own career. There were real questions about his ability to lead a team after he left the Philadelphia 76ers, and had to accept a reduced role on offense in his first year with the Clippers. He more than rebounded last year by averaging 22.8 points per game and being named an All-Star for the first time in three years.
Beal was very quick to sign with the Clippers, and certainly seemed pleased to be leaving Phoenix. Harden putting in a good word couldn’t have hurt.
