The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to throw their hats into the ring in pursuit of soon-to-be former Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal.
Beal, a three-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA selection, all with the Washington Wizards, is expected to secure his release from the Suns in the next “24-48 hours,” per 98.7 FM Phoenix host John Gambadoro on July 6.
“With a Bradley Beal buyout being imminent, per a source, I’m anticipating he gives up $13.9M of his remaining $110.8M, which would then clear the way for the Suns to waive-and-stretch the resulting $96.9M over 5 years and duck both tax aprons,” PHNX Suns’ Gerald Bourguet reported on X on July 6.
“At least five teams are expected to show free agent interest in Bradley Beal, once he officially becomes available later this week,” Forbes Evan Sidery reported on X on July 6. “As a pure scorer at a significantly cheaper annual salary, Beal’s market among contenders will be robust.”
Sidery’s sentiments also align with a later report from The Stein Line’s Marc Stein, anticipating “considerable interest” in Beal.
Beal stands as potentially more appealing than some of the Lakers’ other options.
Bradley Beal Has Several Advantages Over Damian Lillard
The Lakers are also one of several teams linked to former Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, whose Achilles injury and projected recovery timeline could make Beal, who is in Year 4 of a five-year, $251 million contract, that much more appealing.
Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while sporting a 57.1% effective field goal mark and connecting on 38.6% of his looks from beyond the arc.
He is also just shy of three years younger than Lillard and, most importantly, healthy.
Lillard tore his Achilles in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers. He is expected to remain sidelined up to the All-Star break next season. Lillard also dealt with deep vein thrombosis during the 2024-25 regular season.
Beal has navigated his own health issues in his career, appearing in 53 games for the second straight season.
That is his most since 2020-21, but five fewer than Lillard this past season.
Both players are having their deals waived-and-stretched, which should allow a new team, be it the Lakers or otherwise, to spend less to bring them in. Of course, widespread interest looms to spark a bidding war, which threatens to negate that bargain potential.
Bradley Beal Has Lakers Ties
Beal might not be as long of a shot for the Lakers as some other teams. That is not just because of the locale, either. Lakers assistant coach Scott Brooks was Beal’s head coach for five seasons while both were with the Wizards from 2016-17 through that 2020-21 campaign.
Brooks’ presence is expected to benefit new Lakers center Deandre Ayton, with Stein reporting on July 6 that the coach is an “advocate” for the veteran.
The same could hold true for Beal, who has praised Brooks in the past.
“I’ve been with Scott, what? Five years now. Every year’s been different. And he coaches his tail off. He goes out there and he’s all about his team,” Beal said in June 2021, per The Athletic’s Fred Katz. “He supports us, defends us and wants us to do well. He’s a true players coach…I’ve been appreciative of him.”
The Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Miami Heat are also expected to show interest in Beal, per Sidery.
Beal could thrive on the receiving end of looks from LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
