Los Angeles Lakers: Michael Beasley encouraged that Magic Johnson ‘wanted’ him on team

Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations believes in what Michael Beasley brings to the table, which Beasley expressed deep appreciation for.

The Los Angeles Lakers summer has been full of surprises. For example, while LeBron James had been linked to Lakers’ rumors for months, no one believed he would come to L.A. as quickly as he did.

Many speculated that the only way James would consider Los Angeles would be if the Lakers had another star aboard. Of course, that theory was disproved once LeBron came to Hollywood.

In fact, all the Lakers’ summer moves outside of the James signing have been smaller scale. Part of the logic behind this statement is that the Lakers’ other signings have been one-year pacts.

However, the players L.A. has signed are important to consider. Unlike some traditional teams from James’ past, the Lakers do not currently boast another All-Star.

Granted Rajon Rondo is a four-time All-Star, it has been multiple years since he last earned the distinction.

Players like Michael Beasley have never been an All-Star, which accordingly adds to the intrigue of the purple and gold.

Beasley was an interesting signing due to how his career has gone. Simply put, he has never found a true “home” during his NBA career. In the last four years alone, he has never played for the same group of guys in consecutive campaigns.

Despite that truth, Beasley has a chance to do just that while in Los Angeles. In 2017-2018, the 29-year-old averaged 13.2 points a night for the New York Knicks. This represents nearly a four-point differential over his prior year average, which is promising for the Lakers.

That being said, if B-Easy can put together another solid season, he may receive another contract from the Lakers.

Whether this happens is all up to Beasley. The man’s best skill is putting the rock into the bucket, so doing plenty of that in 2018-2019 will determine his chances.

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Although his career has not been a smooth ride, the former Knick is thankful the Lakers’ brass took a gamble on him. Per Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation (originally via Bleacher Report), Beasley is particularly appreciative of Magic Johnson’s belief in his abilities.

"“I was happy that someone trusted that I could play basketball, somebody wanted me to play basketball… Because I’ve really been at a down state in my career mentally and confidence-wise. So to reassure me that I can play basketball, the way Magic was talking—it was good to hear someone I looked up to talk about my game. Being wanted and being admired was really overwhelming.”"

Certainly, that is a major part of the magic that Johnson brings to the table. The former Laker has always been a uniting, welcoming presence to all who meet him. It is what makes the man so special.

On that note, Beasley’s comments about feeling “wanted” must feel good. Hopefully, Magic’s stamp of approval will amplify the former’s confidence going into the fall.

James definitely ranks ahead of Beasley on the team’s depth chart. That is without question. Nevertheless, the Lakers are not expecting the scorer to outpace the 3-time champion in any way, shape, or form.

This predicament could end up being a favorable one for Michael and the Lakers. Beasley has a golden opportunity to prove he belongs in the league still in 2018-2019.

More often than not, players trying to prove themselves perform well. Since the forward’s primary expectation is to score the ball, the Lakers should expect a motivated journeyman who will do just that this season.

Assuming Beasley’s numbers represent Magic’s confidence in him, the stability Beas has long awaited may finally come to fruition.

What is worth noting is that nothing is a given is this league. If Michael Beasley wants to stay in the NBA, he will need to show the Los Angeles Lakers why they “wanted” him in the first place.