The Los Angeles Clippers have confirmed there will not be a competition for the No. 3 jersey as the team welcomes two new additions. According to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk, Bradley Beal has voluntarily decided to allow Chris Paul to retain the jersey number he has worn since high school. Youngmisuk reported that Beal has yet to choose what number he will sport during the 2025-26 season.

Beal recently agreed to a two-year, $11 million contract with the Clippers after parting ways with the Phoenix Suns through a buyout on July 16. In a notable development, Paul also signed a deal with the Clippers on Monday, marking his return to the franchise where he played from 2011 to 2017. This reunion could potentially signify the final year of Paul's playing career in the NBA. Although Paul’s return aligns with the team's title aspirations for the upcoming season, concerns about the crowded backcourt have arisen, considering the presence of multiple established players.

With the recent acquisitions, the Clippers now have an impressive backcourt depth chart comprising Paul, Beal, James Harden, and Kris Dunn, presenting a strategic advantage for head coach Tyronn Lue. While jersey numbers are typically not a defining aspect for players, retaining consistency in jersey numbers could be significant for Paul, who honors his family legacy with the CP3 moniker. His history with the number is a tribute to his father, Charles Paul, and his older brother, CJ Paul. Beal, who has donned No. 3 throughout his 13-year career in the NBA, initially wore No. 23 during a single college season at Florida in 2011-12, inspired by his admiration for Dwyane Wade. Should Beal opt to revert to his college number, he may have to negotiate with Patrick Baldwin Jr., who took No. 23 after joining the Clippers in March.