The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Bradley Beal after reports suggested he would waive his no-trade clause for only three teams: the Lakers, Miami Heat, and Denver Nuggets. However, Lakers fans on Reddit have strongly voiced their disapproval of such a move, urging GM Rob Pelinka to avoid what they see as a potential disaster trade.
Beal’s hefty contract, declining performance, and recent move to the bench by the Phoenix Suns have raised significant concerns. Fans speculate that the Suns’ decision to bench Beal could be a strategic push to make him waive his no-trade clause, adding to the drama surrounding his situation.
Here are some of the most notable fan reactions and their reasoning:
1. “I know players love coming to LA, but this time we gotta gatekeep.”
One Fan feels strongly about protecting the team’s future and avoiding impulsive acquisitions, even if it means turning away a star player like Beal.
2. “Let that mf rot with Durant, it’s payback from what they have done to my LePookie Bear during Cavs-GS years lol.”
A sense of pettiness and rivalry fuels some fans’ rejection of Beal, as they view this as karma for the Suns’ dominance in previous years.
3. “Due to make like 56/57 million for each of the next two seasons… hell no. We couldn’t do it anyway without a third team and that’s a horrible idea… I bet Rob does it hahahah.”
Another fan was concerned about Beal’s massive salary, which would cripple the team’s flexibility, and they express distrust in Pelinka’s decision-making.
4. “No way it would be worse than the Russ trade, but it wouldn’t be good.”
A fourth fan compared a potential Beal trade to the disastrous Russell Westbrook deal, fearing a similar outcome but admitting it wouldn’t be quite as damaging.
5. “The Heat is the most likely option, and it’ll be for Jimmy Butler if it happens. Can’t imagine we have anything the Suns want outside of AR and Rui.”
There’s skepticism about the Lakers even having the trade assets needed to acquire Beal, especially since the Suns likely wouldn’t settle for anything less than Austin Reaves or Rui Hachimura.
6. “The league needs to make the Suns sit in poverty with him. Nobody better bail them out.”
Another fan resented the idea of helping the Suns out of a tough situation after their aggressive moves backfired, suggesting Phoenix should deal with the consequences of their own decisions.
7. “AR is already better than this guy, honestly. I would only consider it with an unprotected FRP.”
One fan valued Austin Reaves more than Beal, citing his current contributions, growth potential, and cheaper contract.
8. “Superstar salary but a mediocre player. No thanks.”
Another fan argued that Beal’s production no longer justifies his massive contract, labeling him an overpaid player past his prime.
9. “The worst nightmare! We need players with size and solid defense, not another ‘star player’ of low efficiency.”
Another fan prioritizes defensive-minded role players and size over adding another high-usage offensive player with questionable efficiency.
10. “Please God no. The franchise might never recover if we do this.”
One fan feared that acquiring Beal could have long-term ramifications, similar to other poorly executed trades in Lakers history.
Beal has averaged 18.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this season while shooting efficiently from the field (48.9%) and three-point range (39.7%). However, his recent demotion to the bench highlights his diminishing impact. Given his $56 million annual salary over the next two seasons, fans believe adding Beal could derail the Lakers’ financial health and roster flexibility.
The overwhelming sentiment from Lakers fans is clear: trading for Bradley Beal would be a mistake. They want Rob Pelinka to focus on acquiring players who fit the team’s needs—size, defense, and consistency—rather than chasing another inefficient star on an overblown contract. For the Lakers, avoiding this trade might be their best move to ensure the team’s short- and long-term success.
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