The Los Angeles Lakers have officially missed out on signing former Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal. The three-time All-Star agreed to a buyout with Phoenix and was immediately reported to have signed with the rival LA Clippers.
As a result of Beal accepting a buyout and signing a new contract with the Clippers, Lakers superstar LeBron James became the only player in the NBA with a no-trade clause.
Beal was linked to a number of teams during the weeks leading up to his buyout, with the Lakers mentioned among them. Unfortunately, he opted against teaming up with James and Luka Doncic, and will instead play with James Harden and Kawhi Leonard in 2025-26.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Beal signed a two-year deal worth $12 million to join the Clippers and make a run at a championship this coming season.
BREAKING: Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gxZB0ObSms
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2025
With a no-trade clause no longer a part of Beal's contract, James is the only player in the NBA who can formally veto a potential deal.
LeBron James is the only NBA player with a no-trade clause
There was a time when this information wouldn't have been particularly jarring. No team in their right mind would've even considered trading James, due in no small part to his ability to will a team to relevance with his otherworldly two-way talents.
Much has changed in Los Angeles, however, as a 40-year-old James is now embroiled in a saga that could signal the end of his tenure with the team.
James is reportedly unhappy with the way the Lakers have been conducting business in recent months. His discontent is said to be the result of Los Angeles not initiating dialogue with him on the sale of the franchise, the acquisition of Luka Doncic, or even his player option for the 2025-26 season.
Compounded by Rich Paul stating that he and his client would be evaluating which path would give James the best opportunity to win a championship, trade speculation has inevitably mounted.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, James' no-trade clause gives him the unilateral power to decide what his next move will be. Even if Los Angeles agrees to what they perceive to be a mutually beneficial trade, the final say will be given to the four-time MVP.
That could ultimately result in the Lakers being forced to trade James for pennies on the dollar if no other resolution can be come to.
It's a haunting reality to consider, as the Lakers are in the midst of the first offseason of the Doncic era. They've also already felt the impact of the clash with James in free agency, with center Brook Lopez reportedly opting against joining Los Angeles due to the current conflict.
Missing out on Beal stings on its own, but James wielding the only no-trade clause in the NBA could be a much bigger issue for the Lakers if they can't mend fences.