Los Angeles Lakers Wiretap

Malcolm Brogdon will likely remain unsigned until after Bradley Beal's situation is resolved. Brogdon has received interest from the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks.

The Washington Wizards are open to sign-and-trade discussions involving Brogdon.

Brogdon appeared in 24 games this past season with the Washington Wizards, averaging 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 23.5 minutes. Brogdon is 32 and has played for four different teams over the past four seasons as he played out the remainder of his two-year, $45 million extension signed with the Indiana Pacers in 2021.

The Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves are some of the team confirmed to have interest in Bradley Beal if he reached agreement with the Phoenix Suns on a buyout.

The Clippers still have $5.3 million to spend remaining from their non-taxpayer midlevel exception. The Clippers opened up potential minutes at guard with their trade of Norman Powell to the Miami Heat.

Beal is on a five-year, $251 million deal signed originally with the Washington Wizards. Beal has two years remaining on his contract totaling $110 million. Beal will have to take a significant reduction on the buyout in order for his contract to be stretched. Beal will then make some of that contract back up when he signs in free agency. 

In 53 games last season with the Suns, Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 32.1 minutes while shooting 38.6 percent on three-pointers. Beal had a PER of 14.9 as his usage dropped from his All-Star performance with the Wizards. Beal had a True Shooting Percenage of .598.

The Los Angeles Lakers signed Adou Thiero to a three-year, $5.95 million contract.

The Lakers selected Thiero with the No. 36 pick in the draft after acquiring the pick from the Wolves. 

The first two years of the deal are guaranteed, with a team option for the third year.

Thiero averaged 15.1 points and 5.8 rebounds last season for Arkansas. 

The Los Angeles Lakers won a "small bidding war" among several teams to sign Jake LaRavia at the start of free agency, sources tell ESPN. Despite their glaring need for a center, LaRavia was reportedly the Lakers' top priority in free agency after losing Dorian Finney-Smith.

In 66 games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings, LaRavia averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 42.3 percent on three-pointers. LaRavia was an unrestricted free agent after the Grizzlies declined their fourth-year option on him.

LaRavia's two-year, $12 million contract is fully guaranteed and the Lakers could use Early Bird rights to re-sign him when he's a free agent again in 2027. LaRavia is represented by Aaron Reilly, who also represents Austin Reaves.

After teams around the league demanded high trade prices from the Los Angeles Lakers for available centers, Rob Pelinka turned to Deandre Ayton after he cleared waivers from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Lakers held approximately $8 million from their midlevel exception while watching center options like Brook Lopez and Clint Capela sign elsewhere on the opening night of free agency. Teams with available centers kept their asking prices high when the Lakers called, sources said.

The elevated asking prices stemmed from teams knowing what the Lakers were willing to pay for Mark Williams in February's rescinded trade. That package included 2024 first-rounder Dalton Knecht, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and an unprotected 2030 pick swap.

The proposed Williams trade demonstrated the Lakers' desperation to find a center to pair with Luka Doncic. Five months later, the Lakers still lacked a solution at the position.

Ayton represents a flawed but talented option for the Lakers. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick was waived by Portland despite being on a maximum contract. Sources suggest Ayton could be a positive addition for the Lakers. He is arguably the second-best center to hit the open market this summer behind Myles Turner.

The Lakers also agreed to re-sign Jaxson Hayes as Ayton's backup on Thursday evening. Hayes served as the team's primary traditional center option last season before the Lakers' search for an upgrade.

LeBron James opted into his final contract year with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $52.6 million, but his future remains unclear following cryptic comments from his agent and a lack of any response at all from the team. The situation has become one of the biggest topics within NBA teams despite James not being a free agent.

James chose to collect his guaranteed money and maintain his no-trade clause rather than test free agency. The decision appeared to signal his intention to play an eighth season with the Lakers.

However, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul's statement to ESPN left room for interpretation about James' plans.

"We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career," Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Lakers have remained silent since Paul's comments. The organization has not issued a formal statement announcing James' option pickup, which sources suggest sent its own message.

Several teams made inquiries to gauge the situation, sources said. However, a trade remains unlikely due to James' large salary and no-trade clause protection. The concept of a contract buyout also lacks logical sense. James earned second-team All-NBA honors last season while helping the Lakers secure the Western Conference's No. 3 seed.

Few situations in recent memory can rival the current circumstances surrounding James and the Lakers. Until either party definitively closes the door on alternative scenarios, speculation will continue throughout the summer.

One executive noted that James could have created a "wild situation" by opting out entirely. Instead, the passive-aggressive nature of recent moves has left the basketball world guessing about his true intentions.

The Lakers were reportedly not interested in signing James to a contract that extends beyond the 2025-26 season and now essentially view him as an expiring contract as they build around Luka Doncic. This part of the situation could be part of James' potential unhappiness with the Lakers. Whether James and the Lakers end their partnership via trade now or in the 2026 offseason, the acquisition of Doncic at the trade deadline was when the two parties began moving apart.

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to sign De'Anthony Melton in free agency. Melton signed a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors last offseason, but he suffered an early season partially torn ACL.

"I haven't heard of anything new. We're still expecting him to eventually sign with the Lakers."

Melton appeared in six games with the Warriors, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 20.2 minutes while shooting 37.1 percent on three-pointers.

Jaxson Hayes and the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a one-year deal.

Hayes appeared in 56 games last season for the Lakers where he averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes. Hayes will give the Lakers rotational depth at center behind Deandre Ayton.

Al Horford continues to consider his options in free agency as he is set to leave the Boston Celtics. The Golden State Warriors are considered the frontrunners to sign Horford, but he is also considering the Los Angeles Lakers or even retirement.

"I'm told he is reviewing multiple options including the Warriors, the Lakers, but also retirement," said Shams Charania on a Thursday afternoon Sports Center appearance. "He is 39 years old. He just finished season 18. I'm told it would be a surprise if he makes a final decision by this weekend. He certainly has earned the right to make a decision at his own time.

"I will say though the Warriors are hopeful of where they stand in all this if Al Horford decides to play again."

Horford would he a strong theoretical fit with the Warriors due to his passing, perimeter shooting and defense. 

Horford, who is represented by Jason Glushon, has also been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Last season, Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.3 percent on three-pointers for the Celtics.

The Los Angeles Lakers are continuing to pursue free agent centers after coming to term with Deandre Ayton.

"They're still working to shore up their frontcourt depth," said Shams Charania on Sports Center on Thursday afternoon. "I'm told they're in talks with multiple free agents on bringing a center to Los Angeles as well to back up Deandre Ayton. We'll see between now and the next several days—look for them to potentially lock in another center."

The Lakers have been linked with Al Horford, but he has been strongly expected to sign with the Golden State Warriors. Horford is also considering retirement. 

The Lakers finished the 2024-25 season with a center rotation of Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len, making the position a major priority for Rob Pelinka. The Lakers ultimately had to use both LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith filling in at center in heavy minutes. 

ESPN's Dave McMenamin has also reported on Thursday that the Lakers could trade for center depth, while they're also looking to add shooting and point guard depth with their remaining available roster spots.