One spot each for the center and shooting guard positions have opened for the Los Angeles Lakers after the team decided to waive Mo Bamba and Malik Beasley.
Purple and Gold are moving on from them quickly as it is revealed that they are now eyeing two of the coveted free agent this summer.
"Among the players L.A. has an interest in signing with the non-tax midlevel are Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez," ESPN wrote.
Another name tied to the Lakers is Eric Gordon, who was waived by the Clippers.
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The Lakers released Bamba, who would have been $10.3 million next season. Beasley's $16.5 million contract option was also not picked up.
The Lebron James-led team made both moves to meet the $172 million luxury tax cap threshold.
Bamba and Beasley could still return
While shopping for new players (although that's not the case for Lopez, who already played one season with the Lakers) is currently the move Lakers are taking, there is still a possibility for Bamba and Beasley to be re-signed, according to an ESPN correspondent Dave McMenamin.
This is by signing both players under a new deal that is more favorable to the team.
The Lakers will waive Mo Bamba and not pick up the team option on Malik Beasley today, sources told ESPN. LAL plans to stay in contact with both players’ representatives throughout free agency and could find different deal structures for Bamba and/or Beasley’s return to LA
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 29, 2023
LAL could also elect to split the MLE and pursue multiple players with that $. PG Dennis Schroder, who had a successful season with the Lakers last year, and SG Eric Gordon, who was waived by LAC on Wednesday, are names they could target in that scenario, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/pfm2b4h8Lq
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 29, 2023
Both Bamba and Beasley were mid-season pickups by the Lakers last season. Bamba dealt with injuries with the Orlando Magic before joining the LA team, while Beasley was part of the package to get D'Angelo Russell.
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