The Los Angeles Lakers have kept something of a low profile during the 2025 period of free agency. Chaos has certainly become a theme for what's transpired within the organization, but Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia are currently the only players whom the Lakers have signed.
Unfortunately for those hoping to see Bradley Beal join that list, he's signed with a Lakers rival. The silver lining: The path to an ideal free agent has thus been cleared.
After weeks of speculation, Beal has finally agreed to a buyout with the Phoenix Suns. It was a decision that seemed destined to impact a long list of contenders hoping to explore what the three-time All-Star still has left in the tank.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Beal will sign with the LA Clippers after completing his buyout with the Suns.
BREAKING: Three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal has agreed to a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns and plans to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $11 million deal with a player option after clearing waivers, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gxZB0ObSms
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2025
With Beal's buyout and signing in the works, the veteran guards who still populate the free agent market are expected to be signed in short order.
The Clippers can still sign one more player to a veteran minimum deal.
Beal’s commitment to LA (upon clearing waivers) is expected to spark movement in the rest of the veteran guard market for the likes of Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Ben Simmons and Malcolm Brogdon. https://t.co/KcZiIDi1Qo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 16, 2025
Thankfully for the Lakers, there's one free agent who looks the part of the perfect complement to Luka Doncic: Malcolm Brogdon.
Lakers can find perfect Luka Doncic partner in Malcolm Brogdon
Brogdon, 32, is one of the most captivating names on the open market. He's a nine-year veteran who has been named Sixth Man of the Year and Rookie of the Year, led the NBA in free-throw percentage, and amassed 43 appearances and 17 starts in a postseason setting.
More importantly, Brogdon is a productive player with commendable defensive instincts and the ability to provide value both on and away from the ball.
Injuries have hindered Brogdon's availability over the past two seasons, which is truthfully the only reason he may sign for either the minimum or whatever a team has left of its mid-level exception. When healthy, however, he's a career 38.8 percent three-point shooter who can create for himself and others.
Brogdon is also a quality postseason performer who can be trusted to step up and provide effective production off the bench—a quality the Lakers were devoid of in 2024-25.
Los Angeles' bench players ranked No. 29 in the NBA in points per game during the 2024-25 regular season. They were also dead last in assists per contest, which signals a need for players who can not only create offense for themselves, but those around them.
Considering Brogdon boasts career averages of 18.9 points and 5.8 assists per 36 minutes, and that he exceeded both figures over the past two seasons, he'd check an essential box.
Not only would Brogdon be able to elevate the second unit, but his style of play and skill set would make him an ideal complement to Doncic—as well as LeBron James and Austin Reaves. He's an excellent catch-and-shoot marksman who can work without the ball as easily as he can alleviate the scoring and playmaking burdens.
With Beal off the market and the Lakers in dire need of bench production, signing Brogdon should become a top priority in Los Angeles.