NBA Rumors: Lakers and Timberwolves Talk Michael Beasley

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has been in talks with Minnesota Timberwolves brass in regards to Michael Beasley.

The 6'10" forward could be a good fit with the Lakers, whether or not they choose to deal Pau Gasol. However, the risk that comes along with acquiring Beasley is the same reason that the Timberwolves want to ship him away.

That is, immaturity.

He was involved in a marijuana incident at the NBA's Rookie Transition Program rookie camp, along with a slew of other drug related incidents.

Despite his off-the-court issues, there's no denying his basketball ability. Last season, Beasley averaged just under 20 points a game in Minnesota while starting all but nine games. The season before that, he averaged 14 points per contest with the Miami Heat. That's a good sign for the Lakers. It shows that he can still be productive while playing with a superstar.

Don't forget that Beasley absolutely destroyed the NCAA in his one year of college at Kansas State, too.

It's no secret the Lakers are in desperate need of a point guard, but Beasley would definitely be a welcome addition to the team. The Lakers could take him on by absorbing him into their $8.9 million trade exemption.

In other news, a possible future Laker guard, Gilbert Arenas, is still on the market as he continues to be blackballed by the NBA.

The Timberwolves don't want all that much in return for Beasley. They're simply looking to get him out of their hair. It's feasible that the Lakers would only have to give up a draft pick and some cash to bring him to Los Angeles.

The Lakers are 22nd overall in points per game. It's no secret Kobe Bryant needs some help. The addition of Beasley would bump this total up, since he is a threat to score from all over the court.

The current state of the Lakers is not exactly stable. It stems from the Gasol trade talks and possibly Kobe's lingering issues with Lamar Odom's exit before the season.

When Kobe's not happy, nobody is.

Beasley won't be able to match the 14 points and eight rebounds per game that Odom put up last season, but he would be able to come off the bench ahead of Matt Barnes when Metta World Peace needs a rest.

In 33 minutes off the bench against the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Beasley scored 17 points on 16 shots, but also had seven rebounds. He played less than 20 minutes in the previous three games, so if Minnesota wants his value to go up, they should get him some more minutes.

Sooner or later, Beasley could end up in Los Angeles. Especially because there is no need for him in Minnesota with Kevin Love, Derrick Williams and Martell Webster.