The Los Angeles Lakers continue to look for ways to bolster the team’s roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Los Angeles may be getting some help from a Western Conference foe.
Rumors continue to swirl that the Phoenix Suns are seriously considering a buyout for three-time All-Star Bradley Beal, which would make the sharpshooter a free agent. Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus suggested that the Lakers would be a logical landing spot if Beal suddenly joins the free agent pool of players.
“I don’t know the future for Bradley Beal, but the Lakers could give him a two-year minimum contract (player option on 2nd year, which is semi-standard for a name vet taking a ‘below market deal’), after waiving Shake, land just below the 1st apron,” Pincus noted in a July 6, 2025, message on X.
Let’s explore how Beal would fit on the Lakers along with the latest NBA rumors.
Bradley Beal Is Expected to Receive a Buyout From the Suns
Forbes’ Evan Sidery reported that Beal and the Suns will “soon” agree to a buyout. It is not as simple as the Lakers signing Beal as the team will likely have competition for his services.
“The Suns and Bradley Beal’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, are working through terms of a buyout that will be agreed upon soon,” Sidery explained in a July 7, message on X. “Beal will quickly prioritize his top fits and make a decision on a new team. The Beal trade will go down as the worst move in franchise history for Phoenix.”
Lakers May Have to Battle the Bucks & Heat Among Others for Bradley Beal
The pressure is mounting on the Lakers to add key veterans after James dropped a bombshell statement about his future via agent Rich Paul. James’ cryptic message prompted speculation about the Lakers potentially trading the superstar. It is worth noting that James opted into his current deal with the Lakers rather than testing NBA free agency.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat would also have an interest in landing Beal.
“It is often written that a buyout for Beal could land in the $90 million range,” The Stein Line detailed in a July 3, titled, “Fourth of July fireworks? Check out the latest/hottest/freshest NBA free agent and trade talk.” “How precise that media forecast proves remains to be seen, but there is no ambiguity here: The Heat will have interest in signing Beal if he can make it to unrestricted free agency.
“Sources say both Milwaukee and Miami, in fact, would have interest in signing Beal in that scenario.”
The Lakers already added Deandre Ayton who will likely emerge as the team’s new starting center. Beal may not offer value at his current price but adding the veteran on a team-friendly deal would give the Lakers quite a starting five.
In addition to Doncic, James and Ayton, the Lakers also have Austin Reaves to potentially play alongside Beal. The Suns veteran averaged 17 points, 3.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 38.6% from long range in 53 appearances for Phoenix in 2024-25.
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