Free agent small forward Michael Beasley is still without a team with the start of NBA training camps less than a month away. Although Beasley hasn’t found a new team, the Los Angeles Lakers remained a potential destination for the veteran, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
The Lakers twice have watched Beasley work out, and they remain a possibility for him.
Beasley worked out for the Lakers twice last month leading to speculation that the team was seriously considering signing the journeyman. All indications point to Beasley being impressive in those workouts at the Lakers practice facility and as a result demands more than the league minimum to join the team as Bryan Rose of Fansided.com points out:
The former No. 2 overall pick has worked out for the Lakers twice and while no contract has been offered that doesn’t mean Beasley’s workout’s didn’t go well. In fact, it’s believed Beasley (who is allegedly attempting to shape up this offseason) looked very good. So good, in fact, that he wanted more than a league minimum contract the Los Angeles Lakers were apparently willing to offer.
With no teams showing considerable interest in Beasley at this point in time, the Lakers have all the leverage if any negotiations take place. The selling point would likely be playing time and the opportunity to prove his worth a lucrative contract.
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In fact, outside of the allure of playing for the Lakers franchise alongside Kobe Bryant, the team provides a platform for players to showcase their talents. The Lakers might not be the NBA superpower of old, but this team still gets a lot of exposure with Kobe on the roster.
As a result, players like Beasley would stand to benefit long-term with the ability to get minutes and excel on the big stage in Los Angeles.
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