ESPN's Shams Charania broke the news Wednesday that Beal would be bought out by the Phoenix Suns and sign a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers. The Lakers may not have ever been the front-runners for Beal. Milwaukee and Golden State were also reported as possible destinations.

Amid serious speculation about LeBron James' future in Los Angeles, there is now an update about what's coming next.

While NBA superstar LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million player option with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2025-26 season, it did not guarantee that he would remain in L.A. How the Lakers would handle player acquisition via the draft and free agency led to speculation over whether James could be traded.

Bronny James gives honest thoughts on having father, LeBron James, supporting him with his mother at Lakers' 2025 NBA Summer League game