3 Lakers from last season who LA desperately miss right now

1. Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley has been one of the better bounce-back stories in the league. He hoped to find a larger, more consistent role and has landed that with the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Beasley has been a starter for the first time since 2020-21, playing 29.5 minutes per contest for the new-look Bucks. The 27-year-old has averaged 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 46.8 percent from the field, a career-best 44.4 percent from long-range on 6.5 attempts.

As impressive as that is, he's averaged 63.5 percent true shooting, which is simply unreal.

He's even been an improved defender and has had a simplified role offensively, as he's been tasked with being a knockdown shooter. The Lakers wanted him to primarily be a reserve scorer, which he didn't thrive in.

His shooting would be a tremendous addition for this Lakers team, at least this version of his shooting. 

Granted, part of this could be because he's on a veteran-minimum deal and his contract will be up at the end of the season. This is always good motivation for someone to lock in and kick it in full gear.

However, for a Lakers team devoid of shooters and plus defenders on the wing, they can't help but wonder what could've been.