Lakers Trade Rumors: Complete Analysis of Potential Michael Beasley Deals
The 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, with Michael Beasley arguably the biggest name still available.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still desperately trying to make a deal with the Timberwolves that would bring Beasley out of the snowy terrain of Minnesota and into the Hollywood area.
The most recent potential deal according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune is a three-team deal including the Portland Trial Blazers. The Blazers would send shooting guard Jamal Crawford to Minnesota, which in turn would send Beasley to LA. Portland would receive backup point guard Steve Blake from the Lakers in the deal.
The current Timberwolf has been outspoken about all this trade-talk circling his name and possible new destinations for his career, telling the Star Tribune:
""I'm just a pawn in this game. L.A., Boston, New Jersey, Orlando...if they decide to move me, I've got to go."
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Beasley knows a thing or two about "going" as he was unloaded to Minnesota by his first team, the Heat, in order for Pat Riley to make room for Chris Bosh and LeBron James that offseason.
"It don't make it no easier." the 2008 draft pick said in the same interview.
The Lakers do have a bit of salary cap woes, with $87.4 million tied up for just this season, which is considerably higher than the $70.3 million luxury tax level. That being said, their issues financially haven't damped their hopes of landing Beasley.
While it affects the contract they can offer the Minnesota player, his contract is only $6.3 million this year due to the 66-game schedule and the Lakers would only pay a fraction of that since he'd have only played 23 games for the team in 2012.
A source familiar with the Lakers' front office told ESPN that the team will however be willing to part with their first-round draft pick, as they see lots of potential in this year's draft class.
The cogs that could end up killing this deal are money issues for Los Angeles and whether or not Portland remains involved with the trade. If management can't fit Beasley on the books though, you'd imagine they would have ended talks a few days ago. Portland is the wildcard, but if talks are still alive at this time, it can easily become a done deal.
