Lakers Have Reportedly Shown Interest in Surprise Third Star at 'Different Points'

The Los Angeles Lakers, presuming they keep Anthony Davis beyond the 2019-20 season, are still in the market for a third star.

And it appears they'll have to join the Brooklyn Nets in their latest pursuit, if the rumors prove true.

According to Shams Charania, Los Angeles has shown interest in Bradley Beal at "different points" over the past several years.

Beal has emerged as a star for the Washington Wizards over the past few years, and was averaging 30.5 points per game this season before the shutdown. He proved he could lead the team in the absence of John Wall, and his stock has shot up in terms of trade value.

He's also under contract through the 2021-22 season and has a player option in 2022-23, yet the Wizards have had limited playoff success with Beal in town, and may look to trade the star guard for picks or some younger core players.

The Lakers want to do whatever it takes to compete for a title every year while LeBron James is in town. Adding Anthony Davis was the first step, and landing Beal would give the Lakers their own "Big Three" that would be tough to stop.

Trading for Beal would not come cheap, given the years remaining on his deal, and in addition to draft picks, it may also require shipping away a rising star in Kyle Kuzma. This should be fine with the Lakers, though; they were more than willing to send away a larger package for Davis.

The goal is to compete for championships, and the team was already doing that this season without Beal. Adding him would just be unfair for the rest of the league.