PHX/LAL

[R-DAWG]

As others have it said it needs to be Rui instead of Vando for salary matching purposes. A D'Lo sign and trade could also be used to create some money flexibility.

I toyed around with the idea of a 3 team trade in a different thread with the Brooklyn Nets.

Essentially, Brooklyn would flip Schroeder and DFS for Russell and the Suns 2024 1st

PHX would get Schroeder, DFS and Rui

Lakers would get Beal

I believe that this works under the 125% rule if Lebron opts out. If not, JHS would need to be included to make the math work

Brooklyn gets an upgrade at the point and cashes out the final year of DFS's deal

Lakers get a 3rd all-star while keeping their future picks (they would be at $193.8MM if they resign Prince and keep their pick for 10 players and would need to round out the roster with minimums - if Lebron leaves money on the table they could free up a mid level).

PHX gets off of the Beal contract with shorter term, more moveable deals. The 3 pieces they add fit the rotation - I assume Schroeder and DFS are starters.

[spanishninja]

The deal looks like reasonable value, but can't imagine the Lakers adding a high salary player unless it's Trae or Mitchell.

Don't think they'll consider a deal for Beal or Lavine.

but they were considering Lavine earlier in the season, and Beal is not any more injury prone than Lavine.

how much they may consider Beal is depending on how likely Lebron is to actually leave.

[R-DAWG]

The deal looks like reasonable value, but can't imagine the Lakers adding a high salary player unless it's Trae or Mitchell.

Don't think they'll consider a deal for Beal or Lavine.

but they were considering Lavine earlier in the season, and Beal is not any more injury prone than Lavine.

how much they may consider Beal is depending on how likely Lebron is to actually leave.

For what it's worth, LaVine makes about $7MM less per year than Beal - which gives some additional cushion to work below the 2nd apron.

[DanishLakerFan]

Phoenix trades Bradley Beal, 2031 1st
Lakers trade D'Angelo Russell (opted in), Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, #55, 2025 LAC 2nd, 2025 LAL 2nd

The Lakers trade for a good 3rd scorer that is badly needed behind LeBron+AD, doing so at negative value due to his contract. The extra 1st brings their package of future 1st rounders to 4, and as a result could be legitimate players to bring in another star should the right opportunity present itself. obviously a big risk with Beal, but it's hard to think of a better fit for him anywhere in the league.

The Suns move on from an insanely redundant and expensive player in Beal, breaking him into smaller role players with varying skillsets. Also some immediate tax savings as well.

Both Beal and Russell would have to consent to this trade, and I think both of them could due to the opposite team being a better fit for their skillsets and the two teams are in pretty similar situations at the moment.

Similar production during regular season, although edge goes to D'Lo. Similarly bad in playoffs.

So essentially Lakers give up assets in a lateral move in replacing D'Lo with the constantly injured Beal and the ungodly amount of money he's owed.

No thanks.