NBA Rumors: Michael Beasley Would Be Excellent Addition to Lakers Squad

Trade rumors are swirling around the LA Lakers, and any that land Michael Beasley in Purple and Gold should make Lakers fans smile.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reports:

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The Lakers' front office knows Kobe Bryant is looking for it to improve the roster, and GM Mitch Kupchak has been working the phones. He's spoken to Minnesota about Michael Beasley, and sources say the Lakers are intrigued by the Timberwolves' small forward.

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The Lakers certainly need a point guard, but they could also use a SF. Beasley would give the Lakers another great scoring option. His minutes are down this year, but he's shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 12 points in just over 25 minutes per game.

Beasley would instantly be the best small forward on the Lakers roster.

His ability to hit the three works perfectly with Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. The great thing about acquiring Beasley is that it doesn't even involve giving up Pau Gasol. The Lakers could acquire Beasley for a draft pick or cash, per Broussard.

The Timberwolves would be dumping salary, clearing a log jam at forward, and presumably adding a pick or other assets in the process.

The Lakers have the $8.9 million trade exception from the Lamar Odom deal, and Beasley fits perfectly with his $6.2 million dollar salary.

He is a restricted free agent after this season with a qualifying offer of $8.2 million, which is still very affordable.

With more minutes, Beasley's numbers will return to where they were last season, when he averaged 19.2 points a game.

If the Lakers keep Gasol, he, Bynum and Beasley would make one of, if not the best frontcourts in the NBA.

If it doesn't work out this season, the Lakers have the flexibility to allow Beasley to walk, and spend that money elsewhere in the offseason.

It is a win-win situation for the Lakers and the deal that makes the most sense, with the least amount of risk.

Let's see if Mitch Kupchak pulls the trigger.