The Clippers can offer Beal up to $5.3 million in salary this upcoming season. Los Angeles used most of its non-taxpayer mid-level exception to sign center Brook Lopez. The Clippers also made a trade that saw Norman Powell go to the Miami Heat and John Collins come to Los Angeles in a three-deal deal with the Utah Jazz.

Instead, a buyout appears to be on the way. Despite reports claiming the Suns and Beal are negotiating the terms of the buyout, Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory didn't open up on the situation. "With negotiations and contract stuff, we just don't talk about the players," Gregory said.