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2 Lakers who have earned untouchable status, 2 who haven’t

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his foul with Austin Reaves #15 during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his foul with Austin Reaves #15 during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on April 09, 2023 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Malik Beasley Lakers
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) – Malik Beasley Lakers /

Not untouchable: Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley was included in the Westbrook trade that brought Vanderbilt to LA and there seemed to be a lot of potential for him as an offensive weapon for the Lakers. Catch-and-shoot role players are huge next to LeBron James, even if Beasley was not the best on the defensive end.

The problem is that Beasley never really got going in Los Angeles. He was mediocre during the regular season for the team and then went into the playoffs and played really poorly. It got so bad for the guard that he was axed from the rotation altogether for Lonnie Walker IV.

If Beasley would have come into town and proven that he could be a reliable shooter during a playoff run then there would be no question that he had a future in LA. That is not what happened, however, as his future now remains unclear.

Lakers could outright reject Malik Beasley this offseason

The problem for Beasley is that he has a player option for the 2023-24 season, giving him absolutely no leverage in any kind of conversation about his future. If accepted, Beasley would make $16.5 million next season for the purple and gold.

It is hard to pay someone that kind of money when they are a one-dimensional role player and they are not even doing well at that one dimension. If the Lakers cannot find a trade to loop him into then the team might just be better off letting him test the free-agent market this summer.

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