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Star Guard Takes Major Step Toward Potential Lakers Trade

By Richard Louis

Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, right, talks with Leroy Sims, director of player performance & health, prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, right, talks with Leroy Sims, director of player performance & health, prior to the game against the Orlando Magic at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been inconsistent thus far into the regular season. This team needed a jolt of energy and traded away guard D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets and got forward Dorian Finney-Smith in return.

That addition was much-needed as they required some depth in the frontcourt. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are still playing at a top-notch level as a duo but the team needs more and they know it.

They finally got some positive news on forward Jarred Vanderbilt, whose been out all season. Whenever he returns to action, he'll give the Lakers another option off the bench. The Lakers are still gauging the market and were recently named a trade destination for guard Bradley Beal.

Lakers News: Bradley Beal Has an Interest in L.A.

According to John Gambadoro, Beal is willing to waive his no-trade clause if he is traded to the Lakers, Clippers, Miami Heat, or Denver Nuggets.

Back in 2023, the Washington Wizards, Suns, and Indiana Pacers agreed to send Beal to Phoenix for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, four first-round pick swaps, and six future second-round picks.

They thought putting Beal with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker would form a dynamic Big 3, but things haven't panned out that way. The Suns are currently 16-18 and decided to ask Beal to come off the bench. In his first game off the bench, the Florida product dropped a team-high 25 points against the 76ers on Jan. 6.

Beal acknowledged after the game that he hasn't heard anything from the team regarding a trade but they need to contact him sooner rather than later about it.

"If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards."

- Bradley Beal

Since he has that no-trade clause, he can't be sent anywhere but the Lakers have the green light from him. Despite that, the Lakers shouldn't pull the trigger on any deal for Beal. Across two seasons and 77 games with the Suns, he has averaged 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and shoots 50% from the field.

His cap hit is huge and that's what makes the deal shaky. The 31-year-old is making $50 million this year, $53 million in 2025-26, and a player option of $57 million in 2026-27. That's a ton of money for a player who hasn't lived up to the expectations in Phoenix. The Lakers' focus needs to be on bringing in another star next to James and Davis but Beal isn't that guy.

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