NBA Entertainment
After a hot start to the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have come back down to Earth in recent weeks.
LeBron James and early-season MVP candidate Anthony Davis’ Lakers have lost seven of their last 10 contests, with their horrid 134-93 pummeling at the hands of the Miami Heat last Wednesday night being a lowlight.
Aside from the Lakers’ clear lack of depth in the frontcourt behind Davis, their three-point shooting as a team has been shaky at best. Their 35.2% accuracy from range as a collective ranks at No. 18 in the NBA, making it apparent that a change in personnel may be necessary.
In the midst of a puzzling stretch early in the season, the Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka may be tempted to pick up the phone to inquire about the availability of a three-point marksman and former team member on a bargain contract from the Detroit Pistons.
Malik Beasley was selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. As a current member of the Detroit Pistons and former Laker in the second half of the 2022-23 season, Beasley has become one of the more efficient and effective distance shooters in the league.
In 25 appearances for Detroit, Beasley is connecting on 41.3% of his 8.9 attempts per game from behind the three-point line. His incredible efficiency on such a high volume could plausibly lead to plenty of interest from potential contenders trying to get back on track.
In exchange for Beasley, the Pistons would likely seek some of the Lakers’ young prospects at the guard position. Thankfully for Los Angeles, they have somewhat of a stockpile of assets that could be flipped to a rebuilding organization like Detroit.
To acquire the 28-year-old Beasley, the Lakers could ship out their recent backcourt draft picks like Max Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino with possible second-round draft compensation attached