As the Los Angeles Lakers continue to shape their 2025-26 roster around Luka Dončić and LeBron James, a new name has emerged as a potential finishing touch: Bradley Beal. With the former All-Star reportedly negotiating a buyout from the Phoenix Suns, multiple teams are circling — and some, like Fox Sports’ Jason McIntyre, believe the Lakers should go all-in.
“If the Lakers get Bradley Beal, they’re the favorites in the West,” McIntyre said on The Herd this week, drawing immediate pushback from co-host Chris Broussard.
Still, McIntyre doubled down on his take, citing Beal’s potential price tag as a game-changer. Beal is expected to be available for as little as $5.3 million, a steep discount from the $50+ million he’s owed by Phoenix. For Los Angeles — strapped for cap flexibility but desperate for offensive depth — that number could be the difference between a solid playoff team and a legitimate title contender.
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“Bradley Beal making $50 million a year is not a great part of your team,” McIntyre added. “But if the Lakers can grab him at $4 or $5 million a year… Who’s better than the Lakers?”
Los Angeles has already made key offseason additions, signing Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia while maintaining long-term cap flexibility. The team is reportedly saving big moves for 2026 and 2027, when they plan to construct a new era around Dončić. But with LeBron still on the roster — and increasingly vocal about his win-now mindset — there’s pressure to balance the present with the future.
“Is [LeBron] probably a little perturbed that the Lakers are catering to Luka and not him? Well, yeah, that’s natural,” McIntyre said.
Beal would provide immediate scoring off the bench or even as a spot starter. While his defensive impact is limited, his offensive efficiency remains elite. Over the last two seasons, the 32-year-old guard has quietly shot over 50% from the field and over 40% from beyond the arc.
According to multiple reports, the Clippers remain the frontrunners to land Beal. But the Lakers, Warriors, Bucks, and Timberwolves are all considered interested. If L.A. can clear space — potentially by waiving Shake Milton — they could offer Beal their $3.9 million bi-annual exception.
“That piece is Bradley Beal,” McIntyre concluded. “Give me Ayton, LeBron, Luka, Beal, and Reaves… Who’s stopping that offense?”
The ball — for now — is in Beal’s court.