Analyst Boldly Claims Lakers Will Become ‘Favorites in the West’ With This 1 Move, but NBA Fans Vehemently Disagree

The Los Angeles Lakers have addressed their frontcourt needs this offseason by signing center Deandre Ayton and forward Jake LaRavia, though they lost veteran Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. While the roster appears more balanced overall, defensive concerns remain.

Fox Sports analyst Jason McIntyre proposed that adding veteran shooting guard Bradley Beal—should he be bought out by the Phoenix Suns—would elevate the Lakers to favorites in the Western Conference. McIntyre argued this move would build on LA's 50-win season and enhance their offensive firepower alongside LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

However, McIntyre's suggestion faced immediate backlash. On "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," co-panelist Chris Broussard dismissed the idea, and NBA fans overwhelmingly criticized Beal's defensive shortcomings and questioned his competitive drive. Social media reactions highlighted skepticism that adding Beal would resolve the team's defensive liabilities.