LA Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Lakers coveting draft picks to land Bradley Beal
The LA Lakers are a team that has been popping up in trade rumors all season long. After missing the playoffs last year, they once again find themselves near the bottom of the standings.
LeBron James and company currently sit in 13th place in the Western Conference with a record of 14-21. If they want any shot at making the postseason, they need to make a move or two.
Part of why the LA Lakers haven't made a trade yet is because they refuse to part with their 2027 and 2029 draft picks. Recent reports suggest they are holding on to them in hopes of landing a star. NBA insider Marc Stein recently linked them to Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal.
"Per NBA reporter Marc Stein in his Substack newsletter, rival teams believe the Lakers want to keep those picks 'in case a currently unforeseen shot to trade for a legitimate third star— like Washington's Bradley Beal—materializes suddenly.'"
Beal, 29, is averaging 23.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 23 games this season.
The LA Lakers will have a tough time landing Bradley Beal
From a fit perspective, Bradley Beal makes a lot of sense for the LA Lakers. His score-first mentality on the perimeter makes him an ideal complement next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
LA might have their sights set on Beal, but acquiring him might be a tall task. Because of how his new deal was structured, there are multiple factors in play.
This past offseason, the three-time All-Star inked a five-year, $251 million deal to remain in Washington. One thing that makes this deal so interesting is that it also has a full no-trade clause.
With this clause, Beal has power over what happens in the future—more importantly, where he ends up if the Wizards decide to move on from him. That being said, if Beal has no interest in playing for the LA Lakers, it won't matter how much draft capital they have.
Looking at the current state of the organization, they aren't exactly a hot spot for stars. Since winning the NBA title in 2020, the Lakers have been on a downward spiral.
LeBron James just celebrated his 38th birthday, and Anthony Davis continues to battle injuries. Given these factors, their window of contention continues to get smaller. Beal still has a few years at his apex, and while he'd be a massive upgrade for the Lakers, him alone might not be enough to make them a contender.