Bradley Beal’s new Clippers deal includes partial guarantees, trade kicker

There’s a little more to Bradley Beal’s new contract with the Clippers than the original two-year, $13.2 million figure suggested.

Both seasons of Beal’s deal are technically partially guaranteed, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line and Bleacher Report.

Beal will make $6.42 million this season, with roughly $3 million to $3.2 million currently guaranteed. That distinction won’t last long. The remainder becomes fully guaranteed on Aug. 18.

The second year is where things get more interesting. Beal holds a player option worth about $6.75 million for 2027-28. If he exercises it by June 29, the Clippers would still have more than seven weeks to decide whether to guarantee the remainder of that salary.

Fischer also reports that Beal received a 15 percent trade kicker.

In other words, Beal gets another season with the Clippers and some control over his future, while Los Angeles maintains at least a little flexibility on the back end.

There is also the matter of Beal’s health. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending surgery after suffering a hip fracture last November, and the Clippers offered few updates on his recovery during the season.

Law Murray and Sam Amick of The Athletic report that Beal is now “back on the court in a limited capacity.” Whether that means he’ll be fully ready for training camp remains unclear.

So the Clippers are bringing Beal back. They’re also giving themselves a little insurance in case the comeback doesn’t go exactly as planned.