Malik Beasley’s $16.5 million team option was turned down by the Los Angeles Lakers in order to have more flexibility before the start of free agency, but there is still a chance he might sign a far more affordable deal. But according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, there is a lot of rivalry for Beasley’s services, with six teams expressing interest.
“Lakers free agent guard Malik Beasley has drawn interest from the Sixers, Suns, Raptors, Mavericks, Bucks, and Warriors, league sources told HoopsHype. Beasley led the NBA in three-pointers made off the bench last season and is a career 37.8 percent shooter from beyond the arc.”
Beasley was acquired by the Lakers in a trade involving Russell Westbrook last year. In 26 regular-season games with Los Angeles, including 14 starts, he scored 11.1 points, grabbed 3.3 rebounds, and shot 35.3% from beyond the arc.
Beasley, however, lost his spot in Darvin Hams’ starting lineup for the postseason. Despite playing in 11 postseason games, he only averaged 3.0 points on 29.4% field goal shooting while only getting 8.3 minutes per game. In the playoffs, he shot 26.9% from distance.
Malik Beasley, despite his problems with the Lakers toward the end of the season, remains one of the NBA’s better 3-point shooters and would be an asset to several of these contenders as a cheap bench player. For Beasley in 2023–2024, $16.5 million was definitely too much, but he can still be useful for less money. Will the Lakers attempt to rehire him? Will he approach one of these rumored suitors, or another? Or possibly in a whole different location?
One of the more prominent names still up for grabs in free agency is Malik Beasley.
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