The LA Lakers need to add reinforcements to their team, but one soon-to-be free agent isn’t the answer.
The Los Angeles Lakers are moving forward with their offseason, trying to build a roster that can compete for an NBA championship.
Losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets was a huge blow. In fact, if reports are to be believed, Rob Pelinka played a huge role in Finney-Smith’s exit.
But the Lakers bounced back by signing Jake LaRavia as his direct replacement. And in the days after the move, the Lakers secured Deandre Ayton to be their starting center.
There seems to be another name set to enter the free agent pool, as Bradley Beal is close to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers are reportedly interested in landing Beal as a free agent. But one NBA insider thinks that would be a bad move for the team.
Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty ImagesJovan Buha claims LA Lakers should avoid adding Bradley Beal to the team
LA Lakers expert Jovan Buha spoke on his YouTube show about the team’s interest in Bradley Beal. While Buha did confirm the interest, he questioned the decision to pursue Beal.
He pointed out that Beal would be a bench player on the Lakers. Furthermore, adding him would create a defensive headache for JJ Redick, as Beal isn’t a strong defender, and would create problems for the balance of the roster.
“There are four teams on Beal’s list that he’s interested in. That’s the Lakers, the Warriors, the Clippers, and the Milwaukee Bucks.”
“With the Lakers, I think he’d probably be a bench player, to be completely honest. I don’t think a Luka-LeBron-Beal-Austin lineup makes much sense.
“You talk about replacing Rui with a starting-level defensive wing. You replace Rui with Bradley Beal, you’re getting much worse defensively, and smaller.”
Bradley Beal better suited to LA Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks
Speaking further in his show, Buha suggested the LA Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks would better fit Beal, given their recent moves.
“Looks like the Clippers might have opened up a starting shooting guard spot for him, and maybe he’ll go there.”
“He could go there (Milwaukee), he could start, he could put up some big numbers next to Giannis, maybe even be their second main scorer, and rehab his value.”
The Clippers need a new starting shooting guard. Yesterday afternoon, the Clippers traded Norman Powell to the Miami Heat.
Adding John Collins at power forward, the Clippers need to fill the vacancy at the two spot. The Clippers are interested in Beal, and could target him when he becomes a free agent.
However, the Clippers only have their $5.7 million mid-level exception to offer. This could make signing Beal a lot more challenging.
Whatever the case may be, Beal’s future will be a huge talking point. In the coming days and weeks, we should know more about the former All-Star’s plans.