The Los Angeles Lakers were already blessed with some free agency luck. The Lakers getting DeAndre Ayton at the price they did was a huge win. Now they are looking to see if they can continue to build a championship roster around Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Recently, Ricky O’Donnell of SBNation made his “NBA free agency predictions for 12 best available players on 2025 market”.
The Lakers losing out on a huge free agent target is one of his top predictions.
“Bradley Beal Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers
Predicted contract: Two years, $6 million
From the minute the Clippers traded Norman Powell in a three-team deal that landed them John Collins, it has felt like there’s another shoe to drop in the backcourt. Bradley Beal is the perfect addition, assuming he’s eventually brought out from the Phoenix Suns. While Beal isn’t a free agent yet, it seems inevitable that he’ll reach a buyout and hit the open market, where he’s widely expected to go to LA. Beal is still only 32 years old and could revive his career playing alongside an great playmaker like James Harden while surrounded by an elite defense. Beal doesn’t need to worry about money after pocketing the buyout, and can choose his next team strictly off the best basketball fit. That feels like the Clippers.”
This Beal prediction isn’t ideal for the Lakers. If they were able to land him in free agency, they could only enter the season feeling like their offseason was a huge success. While losing Beal might not make or break their offseason, it would certainly be a loss. Losing him to the Clippers, however, would hurt a little extra.