The LeBron James era is over in Los Angeles. On Tuesday morning the NBA’s all-time leading scorer told the team that he was leaving in free agency. Now the franchise can move on without him.

Losing a 41-year-old to free agency is rare in sports, but now the Lakers have to replace a king-sized hole in the lineup. James started 478 games and scored more than 12,000 points for the Lakers over the last eight years. He also recorded 3,808 assists as a Laker, which would be the 153rd highest assist total in NBA history. So yeah, things are going to look a little different next season.

Lakers new lineup without LeBron

PG: Luka Doncic

SG : Austin Reaves

SF: Jake LaRavia

PF: Rui Hachimura

C: DaAndre Ayton

While the Lakers are losing the 24th all-time leading rebounder in NBA history, they aren’t exactly getting smaller. Luka Doncic will be healthy and back to run the show. Austin Reaves signed a new max deal that will keep him in Los Angeles for the next three seasons. Reaves and Doncic proved to be a tremendous offensive backcourt when healthy last season.

The frontcourt will feature DeAndre Ayton at center. Ayton, who the who just picked up his $8.1 million player option for the ’26-’27 season after averaging career-lows of 12.5 points and 8 rebounds a game in his first season with the team.

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The other two spots in the lineup could see a number of players this season. Rui Hachimura seems like the most natural fit to fill LeBron’s spot after he started 41 games last season and played the fifth most minutes on the team.

Jake LaRavia started 43 games last season, which was the sixth most on the team, but he played in all 82 regular season games and was second on the team in total minutes played. Marcus Smart, who started 54 games for the Lakers last season is currently a free agent.

Luke Kennard, who is going into the final year of his deal, was acquired via trade started six games for the Lakers during the regular season. He also started five games during the playoffs so whenever Reaves or Doncic is hurt or resting, he should move into either spot in the lineup

There’s also the possibility that the Lakers might try to get another star to replace James, but we’ll just have to wait and see. If Doncic and Reaves can stay healthy the Lakers might want to get aggressive.

Bradley Beal is reportedly a free agent after declining his player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat have been linked to him with the start of NBA free agency looming.

Miami is looking to add floor spacers following its trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Beal fits the bill as he’s a career 37.6% shooter from beyond the arc and would provide the team with a lot of experience.

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Underdog NBA shared the update reported by NBA Prime’s Chris Haynes on X. However, fans expressed skepticism about his fit and what he would bring to the franchise.

“Bradley Beal about to scam the Miami Heat like he did the Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers,” one fan wrote.

“He said watch out like if Beal is still a good player,” a comment read.

“not a soul is worried about where bradley beal is going. we waiting on the jaylen brown trade,” one user said.

“That’s suppose to scare the Celtics ?” posted another.

“How can any team want this dude?” a comment read.

“Their whole team will be over 30 years old at this rate,” another fan commented.

Beal signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers on July 18, 2025. However, he played only six games last season as doctors performed a season-ending surgery to repair a hip fracture.

Bradley Beal’s career stats

The 33-year-old is coming off a major injury and hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. However, he last received All-Star honors in 2021 and could still be a solid contributor if given ample playing time. Beal averages 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 3PM in his career.

He could sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, which would give him a chance to secure a more lucrative contract if he performs well. A low-risk, high-reward scenario will work well for Miami as it maneuvers its salary cap situation.