The Los Angeles Lakers have been excellent so far this season. With a 17-6 record, they haven’t had many areas of improvement thus far.
However, they certainly haven’t been perfect, and if they are truly looking to compete for a championship, their outside shooting could use an adjustment. As of Tuesday, the Lakers are shooting 35.8% from three, with Rui Hachimura carrying a significant share thanks to his impressive 46.2%.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James haven't been as efficient as you would expect from three, so the team would greatly benefit from another option on the perimeter. That is where current free agent Malik Beasley comes in.
Beasley is a career 39% three-point shooter, was second in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, and has already spent time as a Laker in the 2022-2023 season.
Beasley is a journeyman who has played with six different teams in a nine-year career, but brings the skills to each team he plays for, which is knock-down shooting.
Last season, in just 27.8 minutes per game, Beasley led the league in catch-and-shoot three pointers made per game.
His physical gravity, forcing opponents' defenses to respect his ability to knock down shots, would benefit any team, but the Lakers could desperately use him.
As the Lakers continue to deal with players like Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart being in and out of the rotation, Beasley could come in and immediately upgrade their bench.
Right now, Dalton Knecht isn’t where he needs to be for the Lakers to rely on him, but having Beasley as reinforcement takes that pressure off the second-year pro.
Considering Beasley denied all rumors of heading overseas recently, the Lakers would likely be able to sign him to a veteran's minimum. Bringing him in on a contract that small would be the best possible band for the Lakers' buck.
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