Chris Paul's number 3 returns to the Clippers: this player will take it

Los Angeles Clippers aim for Bradley Beal to wear number 3 again during the 2026-27 season, a jersey number that for years was associated with one of the franchise's great legends: Chris Paul. Beal's new number already appears in the team's online store, and league sources confirmed to ESPN that the shooting guard plans to use it.

Beal also seemed to reference the situation through his social media this Thursday, making it clear that he is aware of the significance of the number within the history of the Clippers.

"It's a legend," wrote Beal. "The HISTORY and the BRAND are untouchable and unerasable!!!".

Beal had already given up the number to Chris Paul

Number 3 is not new for Bradley Beal. The shooting guard wore it during his first 13 seasons in the NBA, both with the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns.

However, when he arrived at the Clippers in the summer of 2025, he decided to switch to number 0 to allow Chris Paul to wear jersey number 3 during his return to the franchise.

Initially, the Clippers had assigned number 3 to Beal after his signing. However, Lawrence Frank, the team's president, explained that the player himself had offered to return the number to Paul once he joined the roster.

Paul wore number 3 with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017 and put it on again during his brief return to the team last season.

Chris Paul is guaranteed his tribute

The fact that Beal is now reclaiming number 3 does not mean that the Clippers have changed their plans regarding Chris Paul's legacy.

After being released by the Clippers in December 2025, Paul announced his retirement in February after 21 seasons in the NBA. That same month, the historic point guard revealed that Lawrence Frank had informed him that the franchise would eventually retire his jersey number 3.

Therefore, Beal wearing the number again does not prevent the Clippers from retiring Paul's number later. The team thus maintains the possibility of honoring the player who marked an era in the franchise.

Paul also recently spoke about his departure from the Clippers. In an interview published last week, the player described his abrupt exit as "probably one of the most disrespectful things I have had to endure."

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The legacy of CP3 in the Clippers

Chris Paul, known throughout his career as CP3, left an especially significant mark on the history of the Clippers. The point guard holds the franchise's all-time assists record and managed to lead the team to the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

Paul was also one of the great figures of the era known as "Lob City", where he shared the spotlight with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

His time in Los Angeles made number 3 one of the most recognizable jerseys in the franchise's history. Now, Beal will wear it again, although the meaning of the jersey for the Clippers will inevitably remain tied to Paul.

Beal seeks to regain prominence

The return of number 3 comes after a challenging first season for Beal in Los Angeles. The shooting guard was only able to play six games during last season due to an injury.

This summer, Beal re-signed with the Clippers on a two-year contract worth 13.2 million dollars. The 2026-27 season will therefore represent a new opportunity for the player to regain continuity and prominence with the franchise.

Now, moreover, he will do so with a jersey number he knows perfectly and which he ceded precisely to Chris Paul during his first season with the Clippers.

The decision also leaves an interesting image within the recent history of the team: Beal will reclaim number 3 after having set it aside for Paul to use, while the Clippers intend to one day retire that same number in honor of one of the most important figures in their history.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El número 3 de Chris Paul vuelve a los Clippers: este jugador lo llevará