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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking, analyzing non-LeBron James players

By Isaac Gutierrez

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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11. Michael Beasley– SF/PF

Michael Beasley is a player who will have minimal impact on the success of the team next season, hence his position on this list, but that doesn’t mean he was not a good free agent signing. At this point of his career, Beasley is just slightly better than Lance Stephenson. The difference is the return on value for each player based on their salary.

Beasley was signed for just the veteran minimum, making his presence on the team much more reasonable.

Beasley is a very high usage, ranking in the 94th percentile for usage rate, isolation scorer who plays next to no defense. His defense is absolutely horrendous, but his offensive ability makes him a useful player for the bottom of the Lakers’ bench.

Related Story. 5 Reasons Michael Beasley Was A Good Signing. light

Before his signing the bench unit looked to be something like Rajon Rondo/ Josh Hart/ Lance Stephenson/ Kyle Kuzma/ Moritz Wagner with Ivaca Zubac and Svi Mykhailiuk receiving minutes here and there. Besides Kyle Kuzma, none of those players are those who can get their own shot at will.

Rondo is excellent at creating shots for others. Hart, Wagner, and Svi will likely be excellent at draining the shots created for them. But it felt like they could use another spark plug scorer who could come in for just a few minutes and create instant offense. Michael Beasley gives them that.

While this is valuable to have, his lack of defensive prowess will likely keep him glued to the bench for most of the season, especially in the playoffs.

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