Let's get all the Clippers' controversies out of the way

Bradley Beal will apparently wear No. 3 for Los Angeles. Oh boy. Plus: bad jerseys and more bad news for LAC.

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The Least Of Their Problems

Bradley Beal re-signed with the Clippers this summer, which was a bit surprising and, to some, amusing. I, for one, hope Beal can stay healthy and finish his career on a high note, whenever that career finishes. It appears, though, that it will continue in the Jersey No. 3, which of course was made famous by a certain Chris Paul with this particular franchise. From ESPN's Ben Golliver:

Beal's new jersey number is available on the team's online store, and league sources told ESPN that Beal plans to wear No. 3.

Beal also appeared to address the situation in a social media post Thursday.

"He's a legend," Beal wrote. "The HISTORY and BRAND can't be touched, nor erased!!!"

That's true: Beal wearing No. 3 will not erase CP3's legendary status. Beal will not stay in L.A. forever; it's extremely unlikely he will contribute enough to winning to match Paul's contribution to the franchise. Eventually, No. 3 will hang in the rafters next to ... uh, Bill Russell's No. 6, which is retired leaguewide.

That's right: the Clippers have never retired a player's jersey. And frankly, that's correct unless they borrow Buffalo Braves lore and retire Bob McAdoo's No. 11, even though Mac played almost as long for the L.A. Lakers as he did for the Buffalo Braves and the team won just a single playoff series with him.

CP3 and Blake Griffin should have their numbers retired. No one wore No. 3 between Paul's first exit and last season's failed reunion, but Golliver reports that Beal was in line to take No. 3 ... until CP3 signed with the team last summer. Beal offered it back to Paul at that point. But CP3 is gone now, so Beal is going to take it. And I guess no one is around in Clipperland due to, uh, league suspensions to tell him to please not do that.