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10h ago

Lakers Land Deandre Ayton and Eye Bradley Beal After Suns Buyout Talks

By locking in Ayton on a cost-controlled two-year deal, LA has opened its bi-annual exception to pursue Beal once his Suns buyout closes.

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The Miami Heat are among the favorites to be Bradley Beal's next team in betting odds.

Overview

  • The Lakers officially signed Deandre Ayton to a two-year, $16.6 million contract with a 2026–27 player option to shore up their interior defense.
  • Phoenix and Bradley Beal are finalizing a buyout that would stretch his remaining $110.8 million over five years, setting him on course to enter unrestricted free agency.
  • Once the buyout is complete, Beal is expected to attract significant interest from Los Angeles alongside contenders such as the Clippers, Warriors, Bucks and Heat.
  • Los Angeles is also exploring veteran guard additions with Malcolm Brogdon and De’Anthony Melton under its mid-level and bi-annual exceptions to complement LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
  • With LeBron James opted in for 2025–26 and Luka Doncic due for a max extension in August, the Lakers are relying on exceptions and buyout flexibility to build around their stars.