The Phoenix Suns remain one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams to watch as their once-hyped Big Three continues to unravel.
The combination of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal has failed to deliver championship results, with Beal appearing to be the next likely exit from the desert.
Now, recent reports suggest LeBron James hasn’t been thrilled with the Los Angeles Lakers’ long-term approach.
FS1 analyst Jason McIntyre believes the Lakers might need to make a significant move to win James over, naming Beal as the potential missing piece that could reignite their championship hopes.
“There is one missing piece on the Lakers before LeBron is fully bought in,” McIntyre stated Thursday on The Herd. “Is he probably a little perturbed that the Lakers are catering to Luka and not him? Well, yeah, that’s natural… If you’ve been following what’s going on in Phoenix right now, the Suns cannot find a taker for Bradley Beal and, by all accounts, they’re going to have to waive and stretch him the same way Milwaukee dumped Damian Lillard.”
"There is one missing piece on the Lakers before LeBron is fully bought in."@jasonrmcintyre makes his case for the Lakers to add Bradley Beal pic.twitter.com/YVutvKcnd7
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 10, 2025
The former All-Star guard carries a massive financial burden, earning $53.6 million this season while holding a $57.1 million player option for next year.
His full no-trade clause complicates any potential move, making him a difficult asset to relocate.
If Phoenix moves forward with a waive-and-stretch scenario, Beal could hit the market at a much lower price.
That development would create an intriguing opportunity for teams seeking veteran talent without the massive salary commitment.
McIntyre argues that Beal remains a valuable player despite being miscast in Phoenix.
Playing third fiddle behind Durant and Booker, he still managed to shoot nearly 49% from the field and 38% from three.
Those numbers demonstrate his continued effectiveness when placed in the right situation.
For the Lakers, who desperately need shooters around their stars, Beal could provide the perfect complement to their current roster construction and championship aspirations.
Imagine a closing lineup with DeAndre Ayton, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Bradley Beal, and Austin Reaves; there aren’t many teams that could match that firepower.
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