Lakers Rumors: Bradley Beal In L.A.'s Trade Crosshairs

Will Wizards guard Bradley Beal be enough to move the needle for the Lakers?
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Among the rumors that have now circulated with trade options becomes Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who have caught the Lakers attention according to Chris Haynes. Beal would surely bring an offensive firepower the Lakers need, but it doesn't seem it will be enough to push the Lakers over the top.

Bringing in Beal would surely mean the departure of Russell Westbrook, or Anthony Davis for that matter, which will push the Lakers back to where they started. Beal brings more of an offensive threat than Westbrook, but grabbing Beal could also mean a loss of draft picks and still a very shallow bench.

Even if the Lakers choose to pursue Beal, there may be some contract issues worth monitoring (via RealGm).

The Washington Wizards are not expected to entertain trading Beal unless he requests a trade. Beal re-signed with the Wizards on a five-year, $251 million deal this past offseason. Beal has a full no-trade clause, which could allow him to dictate his next team. 

The Lakers can depart with their Westbrook contract but then bring in another massive Beal contract, if Beal chooses to want to be traded. The Wizards also have a lot of leverage in the situation knowing how valuable Beal is and how much help the Lakers need.

This of course remains speculation and the Lakers can very well go in a completely different direction, but one thing remains certain. The Lakers are heading into some troublesome territory and something needs to be done soon before they ultimately give up on the season. 


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Ryan Menzie
RYAN MENZIE

Ryan Menzie | Lead Contributor Ryan is an LA Native who has grown up praising the greatest athletes LA has had to offer. A love for sports ranging between basketball, football, volleyball and golf, a future Sports Management Masters graduate, and being engulfed into organized sports since seven years old, the passion and love for sports never ends for Ryan. If the words he writes don't paint the full picture of his true fandom, he will find more ways than one to tell the story and be more than willing to open up a nice LA sports debate with you. Favorite Player: Kobe Bryant  Favorite Moment: Kobe Bryant Final Game. Too many moments to choose from between Derek Fishers 0.4 second buzzer beater, the Lakers 3-peat or game seven against Boston, but can't beat a final memory like Kobe's final game.