Bradley Beal is set to don the No. 3 jersey for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2026-27 NBA season, and let me tell you, the internet absolutely erupted. Clippers fans and NBA fans alike are going completely rabid, blasting Beal for picking a number so tied to franchise legend Chris Paul. This ain’t just a jersey number choice; this is a full-blown declaration, and the fallout is immediate and intense.
The CP3 Legacy and the Sacred #3
Look, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin reinvigorated that Clippers franchise for a long while. Paul, especially, carried that “CP3” moniker and the No. 3 jersey through some incredible runs. He rocked it during his dark horse days with the Charlotte Hornets, kept it through his time with the Clippers and Houston Rockets, and even reached the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns rocking that number. He was still wearing it in the twilight of his career with the Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs, and even when he came back to the Clippers for 16 games to officially call it a career. This number, this guy, he IS No. 3 for so many NBA fans. To see someone else in it, especially right after his retirement? Fans are calling it the ultimate disrespect, and you can see why.
Fan Fury and a Questionable Organizational Choice
The anger out there is palpable. One fan didn’t pull any punches, saying, “Outside of being told it would be retired, giving Bradley Beal of all people the number is down right disrespectful.” Another fan pointed out the sheer head-scratcher of it all: “It’s really curious that the Clippers allowed Bradley Beal to wear the number 3 jersey right after Chris Paul’s retirement. Normally, teams advise players not to wear the numbers of recently retired legends who have a good shot at being immortalized.”
And let’s not forget the history here: CP3 was shipped out by the Clippers in the middle of the night during his last season, a move he described as the “biggest disrespect he’d ever faced in his life” in an interview just a few days ago. He came back specifically to retire with them! This jersey choice just twists that knife even further for fans who already felt his exit was messed up.
Beal’s Side and His Own #3 History
After the internet started buzzing and the team store even put Beal’s name on a No. 3 jersey, the three-time NBA All-Star and one-time All-NBA selection expressed his frustration. He tweeted, “Is that the topic of the day? Lol” on September 10, 2026, clearly annoyed. He followed it up with a clarification, stating, “Chris Paul will be a legend in the Clippers organization regardless of whether he chooses No. 3 for the 2026-27 NBA season. He’s a legend! The HISTORY and BRAND can’t be touched, nor erased!!!”
Here’s the kicker: Beal himself has worn No. 3 his *entire career*. He rocked it with the Washington Wizards during his legendary runs with John Wall and kept it through his two-year stint with the Suns. So, for him, it’s *his* number too. But that personal history ain’t washing away the collective outrage for Clippers fans.
This whole situation isn’t just about a jersey number. It’s about respect, legacy, and how a franchise handles its legends. What happens when Chris Paul inevitably makes an appearance at a Clippers game? Does Beal try to smooth things over, or does he just ball out and force fans to accept it? One thing is for sure: the 2026-27 season for the Clippers is kicking off with some serious fireworks before the first jump ball even happens!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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