The Los Angeles Lakers have been active in the early stages of the free agency despite attempting to maintain flexibility for the future. While LeBron James picked up his player option and Jaxson Hayes was re-signed, Dorian Finney-Smith opted to join the Houston Rockets as the Lakers were reportedly unwilling to offer more than two years.
Los Angeles responded by adding Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia on two-year deals that allow them to keep their books open for the stacked 2027 class -- where they are hoping to find a long-term running mate for Luka Dončić. There have been reports that James has not been happy with their willingness to keep their focus on the future.
A sports media personality recently suggested that the Lakers could make one more splash pick-up to get the four-time MVP to buy in.
"There is one missing piece on the Lakers before LeBron is fully bought in," Fox Sports 1's Jason McIntyre stated Thursday. "Is he probably a little perturbed that the Lakers are catering to Luka and not him? Well, yeah, that's natural... If you've been following what's going on in Phoenix right now, the Suns cannot find a taker for Bradley Beal and, by all accounts, they're going to have to waive and stretch him the same way Milwaukee dumped Damian Lillard."
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"Bradley Beal making $50 million a year is not a great part of your team," McIntyre continued. "He's overpaid at $50 million. Now, Bradley Beal getting bought out and waived and stretched and suddenly he looks like Russell Wilson... I get it, you think Bradley Beal's washed. I disagree. He's only 32. His numbers last year, 38% on threes, 49% from the field -- those are good numbers on a bad team. At $50 million, they're not great numbers."
"Now, if Bradley Beal hits the market and the Lakers can grab him at $4 or $5 million a year, who's better than the Lakers? And don't say OKC. You give me, closing games, Ayton, LeBron, Luka, Beal and (Austin) Reaves. Who's stopping that offense? The Lakers need catch-and-shoot guys... I think Bradley Beal is the missing piece for the Lakers to win the West... The Lakers are missing one piece and I think, at that point, LeBron will buy in. That piece is Bradley Beal."
While Beal has yet to hit free agency, he is reportedly working on a buy-out with the Phoenix Suns. His scoring numbers were down in his two seasons with the Suns as he was relegated to a third-option role, however, he was very efficient in 106 games over that span.
The three-time All-Star averaged 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field, 40.7% from three-point range and 80.8% from the free-throw line. Beal would likely have the opportunity for more open looks in Los Angeles due to the attention that Dončić and James command from opposing defenses.
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