It is no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to make improvements this summer if they are going to re-enter the title picture after having one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
The front office certainly knows that and it appears that Rob Pelinka and co. could be shooting for the stars. As absurd as it sounds, the Lakers reportedly have real interest in acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards, who may roll their eyes at the interest.
Beal is in an interesting spot with the Wizards this offseason as he can opt-out of his deal and sign a super-max extension, which he will likely do. As talented as Beal is, you cannot fault the Wizards for hesitating to sign him to a five-year deal when the team has not won anything with him as their best player. In the grand scheme of things, Washington is likely better off trading Beal.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Conner said on a recent episode of ‘The Mismatch’ that the Lakers are interested in acquiring Beal this summer. O’Conner said the following (h/t Lakers Nation):
"“The one name that I’ve heard recently is Bradley Beal as another guy that they want,. I’m not sure if the interest is as mutual […] the Lakers are trying to angle for some moves like that using the Russ expiring and the ’27 and the ’29 firsts.”"
Any Lakers fan on the planet is likely willing to flip Westbrook and two firsts for Bradley Beal this summer. The problem is how unrealistic that trade is as the Wizards have no reason to want Westbrook in return and those two first-round picks simply are not enough.
There is only one way that the Los Angeles Lakers could actually trade for Bradley Beal.
That one way is to trade either LeBron James or Anthony Davis. That is it. If the Lakers want Bradley Beal on the team next season then they would have to trade one of their star players in return.
The draft pick compensation for both sides would be complicated and quite frankly, it is hard to pinpoint which side would have more leverage to ask for additional picks. Regardless, the only way that Washington is even entertaining a deal is if the Lakers build it around LeBron or Anthony Davis.
We actually broke down a potential LeBron for Beal trade here on Lake Show Life weeks ago and it could make sense for the Lakers. There is now even more speculation that LeBron won’t sign an extension and could leave the team after next season. If the Lakers think they could lose LeBron it makes sense to switch him for five years of another star in Beal.
Beal and Westbrook play well together so while they might not win a title next season, they would, in theory, mesh better as a team. Then, once Westbrook’s deal expires, the Lakers would be able to build the future around Beal and AD, adding the right role players and pieces around them.
And who knows, maybe Beal coming to LA would further influence his good friend Jayson Tatum to eventually join the Lakers, which already seems like it is in the cards in the future with his love for Kobe Bryant.
I don’t doubt that the Lakers have interest in Bradley Beal but they are going to be very disappointed when the Wizards do not return their calls for a Westbrook and two picks package.