Los Angeles Lakers To Add Michael Beasley?

There were similar grumblings before the Los Angeles Lakers signed Metta World Peace. Fourteen years in the league and two rings (with the Lakers) later, the doubt on World Peace that almost prevented them in signing the controversial forward has resurfaced in Michael Beasley.

According to Lakerholicz, Beasley is still an option for the Lakers to add at forward.

Beasley returned to the Miami Heat a second time last season, unfortunately he did more sitting than playing. His first NBA team, which drafted him No.2 overall in the 2008, only gave him 15 minutes a game in which he put up 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds.  

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The Heat have expressed no interest in bringing him back for whatever reason, and now Beasley’s on the open market unsigned a few weeks before training camp begins.

Beasley’s best stint of production came in his first season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, his third year in the league. With Minny he averaged a career-high 19.2 points per game with 5.6 rebounds a game in 32 minutes per game. Beasley eventually moved on to the Phoenix Suns after the Timberwolves declined to extend him a qualifying contract offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Lakers currently have nine of their 13 signed players on one year deals. Both Robert Sacre and rookie Jordan Clarkson have non-guaranteed salaries, Jordan Hill has a team option on the last year of his deal and Ed Davis possesses a player option for his second year, the rest will not be on the Lakers books next season.

On paper, Beasley has the potential to start at small forward for the Lakers. He’s a talented scorer who can play the perimeter and inside. His defense is often criticized, however no more than his personal drive to play basketball.

This rumor has legs, and regardless of his criticisms Beasley is worth a one-year deal from the Lakers. Players evolve in certain systems, they perform better under certain coaches and at times they’re pushed harder next to different teammates.

Hate on Kobe Bryant all you want, when guys commit to playing with and learning from him, they all have elevated their game.

Beasley’s worked out with the Lakers twice, and rumor his it he’s made a positive impression in those sessions. Not surprising considering the other guys the Lakers have invited to audition within the last few weeks. No contract has been offered to Beasley, due to his interest in making more than the minimum.

At this point a minimum contract is all the Lakers can offer Beasley, and honestly it’s all he’s worth.

What it will boil down to is the fact that although Beasley has a lack of options he still has a few. The Chicago Bulls are also interested in retaining him, and while the Lakers have a larger log jam at forward, Chicago’s arsenal of forwards are more talented. Anyone that signs the seventh year forward will do so with an experimental mindset.

Perhaps they will be the team that’ll finally get some greatness out of Beasley, on the other hand maybe not. The Lakers would like to be the team that expunges the max out of Beasley’s talent for the long haul. With ample opportunity for playing time and experience alongside one of the best NBA guards ever, it’s definitely possible.