The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly open to discuss with free-agent small forward Michael Beasley in an attempt to sign the former Kansas State star and no.2 overall pick, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reported on Wednesday.
Beasley, who is also drawing interest from the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, is scheduled to talk again with Lakers executives after their first talk ended in futility. According to sources, the 25-year old Beasley is demanding a higher price than the veteran minimum offer the Lakers put on the table.
"No new news on the Beasley/Laker front? nothing new. They met, they talked, they agreed to talk again," the Basketball Insider writer posted on his Twitter account,
Beasley was regarded as one of the best prospects entering the 2008 NBA Draft after an astonishing freshman season with the Wildcats. But despite his potentials, inconsistency, lack of motivation and off-the-court antics are the big hurdles in his career.
Last year, Beasley averaged 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.1 minutes of action a game. Though his numbers dropped significantly, he managed to post a career high in field goal percentages (50 percent) and shot 39 percent beyond the three-point line.
The Lakers, who only have Wesley Johnson as a natural small forward, already auditioned Beasley in a workout at the team's training facility in El Segundo, California few weeks ago. And according to a source present during the workout, Beasley was a bit rusty but had a good showing overall.
Will Lakers Gamble on Beasley
There's no doubt the Lakers are still iffy to get a player with checkered history. However, Beasley could be a good gamble for the franchise as long as the price is right.
Despite all his troubles in his career, Beasley is very much capable of producing quality numbers if placed in right situation. Perhaps, it's just a matter of motivation to ignite the flare competitiveness inside the youngster. Lakers head coach Byron Scott and star player Kobe Bryant can certainly help in that department.
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