![Michael Beasley with the Wolves. - [Keith Allison / Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/7/22/660x290/b_502x220x82/photo-of-michael-beasley-image-credit-keith-allison-flickr_2060475.jpg "Michael Beasley with the Wolves. - [Keith Allison / Flickr]")
The Los Angeles Lakers have made some interesting moves during the offseason after signing LeBron James to a four-year, $154 million dollar deal. The team was able to obtain players such as Lance Stephenson, veteran Rajon Rondo, and center JaVale McGee. The franchise lost out on a few superstar players, including DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, who stayed with OKC, and Kawhi Leonard. It is possible that they could still acquire Leonard. A number of NBA teams have been making moves to stay afloat or get better in the offseason. The Lakers have been no different, as they added another complementary piece by adding forward Michael Beasley on a one-year deal.
The deal
The free agent has agreed to a deal with the Lakers for one year and $3.5 million, as listed in an article by ESPN. Beasley is a noted offensive player and one who is familiar with LeBron James, as the article states that "LeBron James played one season with Beasley while they were with the Miami Heat in 2013-14, and he is a fan of Beasley's game." The gifted offensive player had a good year with the New York Knicks, as he was a consistent scorer for them off the bench for most of the season. Beasley averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
It seems that the Knicks were going in another direction and simply also did not want to sign him for another year.
Beasley has never been able to take his game to the next level, as injuries have also played a role, along with being a defensive liability. Now he will be playing with LeBron James, where he can bring out his talented game.
LeBron James played a season with Michael Beasley in Miami. They had no major issues & LeBron said he respected Beasley's talent. I mean Erik Spoelstra decided Beas was unplayable in the postseason due to defensive lapses. But in fairness I don't recall him forgetting the score.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 20, 2018
Lakers over the Thunder
Having LeBron James on the team has already made a difference in recruiting, as an article by Lakers Nation lists that Beasley chose to play for the Lakers, instead of going to play with Paul George and Russell Westbrook in OKC.
The fact that Michael Beasley knows the king could have factored into the decision. According to Lakers Nation, Beasley was going to pick between either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Los Angeles Lakers. The team lost Brook Lopez to the Milwaukee Bucks, but they do have JaVale McGee and Ivica Zubac, as well as newly drafted player Moritz Wagner.
It has to be seen, but the Lakers could be a better team when it comes down to it. The Thunder do have Paul George and Russell Westbrook, but they do not have the best player in the league in LeBron James, or a great bench.
The teams' outlook
The Los Angeles Lakers have the best player in the league, although they are in the Western Conference. The Lakers will have to go through the Houston Rockets, the rising Utah Jazz, the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. And everyone will be looking to knock off the defending champion Golden State Warriors, who managed to possibly get even better in the offseason by adding DeMarcus Cousins. The Lakers do not have enough to battle the Warriors, but a lot could happen during the season.
The Lakers have a lot of great young talent in Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Brandon Ingram. The team can pursue a superstar next season to take down Golden State and have a bright future ahead with the king.
