Speculation: Lakers Expected To Exercise $16.5 Million Team Option For Malik Beasley In 2023-24 NBA Season
The Los Angeles Lakers made a significant trade deal during the deadline, where they acquired three players – D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley. In exchange for these players, they gave up Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick. The trade has proved to be a successful move for the Lakers as all three new players have made significant contributions, especially Malik Beasley, who has fulfilled the Lakers’ requirement for an accurate shooter
Malik Beasley has been a perfect fit for the Lakers, playing alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. His presence on the court has made it difficult for opposing teams to defend, as they are hesitant to leave him unmarked. Beasley’s addition has brought a new dimension to the Lakers’ offense, as he is skilled at maneuvering around screens and shooting 3-pointers. He has maintained a 35% accuracy rate for 3-point shots since joining the Lakers, and he has scored over 20 points in three games so far. Overall, he has been a valuable asset to the team.
Malik Beasley experienced a period of time in March where he struggled with his shooting accuracy, but he quickly rebounded during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite his previous struggles, he managed to score 24 points during the game, including seven 3-pointers. Beasley was confident and played well, despite his recent slump.
Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that the Lakers are planning to exercise their team option for Beasley next season, which is worth $16.5 million. This news comes from sources such as Jovan Buha of The Athletic and Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.
“I do think they pick up Beasley’s team option. It’s just one of those situations where you don’t have the means to replace him. I think, as you saw in Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans, he can go off for seven threes in a half and light a team up. He’s the best shooter the Lakers have had in the LeBron and AD era. I don’t think it’s debatable in terms of the number of attempts he’s willing to get up, his confidence, and his percentage. He’s shot in the high 30s on seven or eight attempts a game for the last several years.”
The Lakers have been interested in having Beasley on their team for a while due to his skills as a 3-point shooter and his compatibility with L.A.’s star players. If the Lakers choose not to exercise their option to keep Beasley, it would set them back in their search for a consistent shooter, leaving them needing to find someone new for the role. The deadline for the Lakers to decide whether or not to keep Beasley is June 29.
Currently, the Lakers have only four players under contract for next season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Max Christie. Some notable free agents for the Lakers include Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. With a potential $32 million in available cap space for next season, the Lakers have some room to work with as they build their team.
