The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly fighting for a three-time NBA All-Star, but another team are the front runners.
Both the Lakers and the Bucks have been making questionable moves this offseason. The Bucks moved on from Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez and brought in Myles Turner in an attempt to appease Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ moves have brought them no closer to contention, meaning LeBron James has cast eyes elsewhere.
That makes this fight to bring in an NBA All-Star potentially pivotal to both franchises’ futures, but they aren’t the leaders in the race.
LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks are among the potential landing spots for Bradley Beal
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly about to buy out Bradley Beal’s contract. The Suns, after missing the play-in this season, are rebuilding around Devin Booker who they signed to a two-year, $150 million extension recently.
The Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets in return for Jalen Green and some role players as they re-tool their roster. Getting rid of Beal, who was disappointing for them after signing in 2023, is the next step.
Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that the Lakers and Bucks were on the list of places Beal could suit up next season, but the Los Angeles Clippers are the most likely spot.
He said, “Some confirmed suitors for Beal include the LA Clippers — fresh off agreeing to trade Norman Powell to Miami in a three-team deal that will bring back Utah’s John Collins — as well as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee and Minnesota.
“Miami was widely anticipated to be in that mix, but the Heat’s agreed-to acquisition of Powell would appear to rule them out of the Beal chase and would likewise appear to boost the Clippers’ chances of convincing Beal to join Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Co. by stepping into a clear backcourt void created by Powell’s departure.”
LA Clippers look to add a star duo of Chris Paul and Bradley Beal to join Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers have been the “nearly” team of the NBA in recent years. Despite having various All-NBA calibre players such as Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden, they have fallen short of expectations.
That was the case this season, too. They entered the playoffs with a healthy Leonard for the first time in years and were dark horses for the NBA title.
They lost in the first round to the Denver Nuggets, however, in a hard-fought series, but in part thanks to Harden’s annual playoff woes, another early exit.
Getting rid of Powell’s contract made a statement to the NBA. They have cleared some salary space to go after big names. Beal, who despite not rising to the expected heights in Phoenix, has now become somewhat underrated, is one of them.
The other name may be shocking to NBA fans. The Clippers are rumoured to be targeting former point guard Chris Paul. He is in the tail end of his career, but Paul’s leadership is famous, and he could be precisely what this Clippers locker room needs.
A lineup including Paul, Beal, Harden and Leonard would have to be considered contenders for the title.