NBA Trade Rumors: Michael Beasley and More Trade Targets for LA's Second Unit

The Los Angeles Lakers have a pathetic second unit. They must trade for guys like Michael Beasley to beef up that unit if they want to contend for a championship this season.

The Lakers’ current bench is filled with Steve Blake, Troy Murphy, Josh McRoberts, Andrew Goudelock and Jason Kapono. There is nothing to get excited about in that group. The ones that were exciting at any point have long since disappointed.

It is imperative the Lakers beef up their bench. A team’s depth is the difference between greatness and mediocrity.

Michael Beasley

So far this season, Michael Beasley has averaged 11.8 points per game primarily coming off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is exactly the type of guy the Lakers need.

At 6’10”, Beasley can play the three or the four and is effective in the post or on the outside. He’s shooting 45 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range.

Beasley could be a Sixth Man of the Year-type guy in the future for the Lakers, very similar to what Lamar Odom used to be for them.

Ramon Sessions

The Lakers’ point guard troubles have been well-documented on just about every outlet imaginable. Those problems extend to the second unit, which has even less of a floor leader than the first unit.

Enter Ramon Sessions. Sessions isn’t an All-Star and isn’t flashy, but he is a very good all-around basketball player. He’s averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 assists per game off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Those who will tell you this trade wouldn’t work because it is “just Ramon Sessions” don’t understand basketball. The Lakers need more dependable, hard-working guys like this and fewer big names. Their love of flash is what has gotten them where they are right now. Sessions is a guy of substance who could really help LA off the bench.

Luke Ridnour

Another man who could help with the point guard troubles the Lakers are having is Luke Ridnour.

Ridnour is averaging 11 points and four assist per game this season as the starter in Minnesota. However, he’s been sharing that time with Ricky Rubio. He’s also shooting 44 percent from the field and 88 percent from the line.

This trade has been made pretty unlikely since Rubio went down with an injury for the rest of the season, but it is still possible and would still help the Lakers.

Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza is another guy who could help the Lakers by coming off the bench, similarly to how he helped them win a title in 2009.

Right now he’s averaging 11.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game as a starter for New Orleans. However, I find it hard to believe he wouldn't want to come back to LA and pursue rings as opposed to squandering away his prime with the Hornets.

Ariza does a bit of everything, which is good considering that the Lakers need a bit of everything in their second unit. He makes them better immediately.