Chris Paul. Image via: Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Clippers have picked a fresh fight with their own history. Chris Paul's old No. 3, the number he wore for six seasons that turned the franchise into a real playoff team, is heading to Bradley Beal for the coming season. The decision lands on an organization already reeling from the league's punishment in the Kawhi Leonard cap circumvention case, and it has reopened a wound from Paul's messy exit last season. Beal has responded publicly, but the backlash from fans hasn't slowed down.Clippers make bold roster call despite promise made to Chris PaulNBA reporter Etienne Catalan first flagged the move this week. With Beal returning to the Clippers for the 2026-27 season, the team plans to give him Paul's old No. 3, a number the Clippers' own team store has already listed for Beal heading into the year.That contradicts what Paul says he was told. Appearing on Carmelo Anthony's "7 PM in Brooklyn" podcast, Paul said the organization had promised to retire the number once he stepped away from the game. The Clippers have never retired a single jersey in their history, and Paul, who called his exit "most disrespectful," says the number now sitting on Beal's back is proof the team never meant to keep its word.The backdrop makes it worse. Paul spent six seasons building the Clippers into a perennial playoff team during his first stint, then returned for a second run in 2025 that ended badly. He was reportedly informed in the middle of the night that the team was moving on from him, then sent home in December amid claims he was undermining the coaching staff, a characterization he disputed.Bradley Beal responds to Clippers controversy over Chris PaulWhen Paul signed with the Clippers in 2025, Beal voluntarily gave up the No. 3 he had worn his entire career so Paul could keep the number tied to his "CP3" identity. Team president Lawrence Frank called it "such a great gesture" at the time, saying Beal wanted to hand over the number before Paul even knew about it.With that goodwill now looking undone, Beal took to social media to get ahead of the criticism. He called Paul "a legend," and added that his history and brand with the franchise could never be erased. The message reads less like a man trying to justify wearing the number and more like someone caught in the middle of a situation he didn't create.NBA fans react to Clippers controversyFans weren't as forgiving. Reaction poured in across social media once the news about the 21-year NBA legend spread.@CKenzyNelson wrote: "We can't be mad at Bradley Beal for wearing No. 3 with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers allowed him to wear it 🤷🏽‍♂️ For some reason, they seem to hate Chris Paul, even after everything he did for that franchise 🤦🏽‍♂️🏀"@cmonnowplayaman asked simply: "Why take the number then lmao"@CanyonDriver joked: "Revenge plot for CP3 if he's a GM for the Lakers. smoovay"@Slime5ea5on summed up the mood: "Can they get any more disrespectful lol"@crmnchin6969 didn't hold back: "clippers cant do anything right. will always be the lakers little bro"And @curgoat09 wasn't buying Beal's message either: "'He's a legend' still got that number on though"The Clippers can’t catch a break. After the Kawhi Leonard controversy, the team is now under fresh scrutiny.