Is Malik Beasley key as Lakers explore roster upgrades?

As the Los Angeles Lakers head into an offseason filled with uncertainty surrounding their roster, multiple names jump out as key talking points. 

The expected contract extensions for Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are noteworthy while D'Angelo Russell's future and how the Lakers handle the few assets/contracts they have in potential trades are among the bullet points.

One name to monitor closely is guard Malik Beasley, who was acquired via trade along with Russell. The Lakers have to decide on his $16.5 million team option by June 29, assuming he's still on the roster at that point. The 2023 NBA Draft will be held one week prior to that, potentially setting up the Lakers to make a move involving draft capital, assuming they opt to make a deal to add either more depth or take a swing at landing another star.

Regardless, the popular belief is that Beasley will be a part of most trade packages that could potentially give the Lakers the type of return that can push this team closer to a championship run next season. But Beasley's trade value currently is something to discuss, as he wound up seeing his minutes drop below 15 per game in the postseason and as far as single-digits for most of the second and third rounds.

But based on the interest a few teams had in Beasley around the trade deadline, there are certainly some noteworthy names that could be on the table if a deal does involve the 26-year-old guard.

While the Lakers acquired Beasley in the deal for Russell, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported both the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks had interest in potential trades involving Beasley. He also explains that the Portland Trail Blazers previously had shown interest in Beasley and that the Lakers guard could be a fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are in search of wing shooting.

"Beasley’s name was discussed plenty ahead of the February trade deadline, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Hawks registered interest, sources said, and explored a package of Beasley and Vanderbilt for John Collins. The Knicks were another team that called about Beasley, sources said, attempting to land Beasley and Vanderbilt in a deal that would have sent out Evan Fournier."

Fisher then went on to discuss the Blazers and Cavaliers, although it's unknown the level of interest from any of these teams currently. The Blazers appear to be focused on finding a star to pair with Damian Lillard, although Beasley could potentially be an ideal fit as a shooter alongside Lillard and another top-tier player.

Although it's unknown how realistic the idea is and how much the Lakers have actually discussed it, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported the team has had "internal discussions about what a hypothetical trade offer for Young could look like this summer." Regardless, the report is that the Lakers have kicked the idea around, and it's one which would almost certainly cost the Lakers the bulk of their trade assets, almost surely including Beasley.

There is some room for concern for Lakers fans surrounding the idea of a trio featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Trae Young, with the primary question being who fill out the remainder of that lineup?

If the Lakers seriously discussed the idea of a trade to acquire the Hawks star, then this entire situation, specifically involving Beasley, could be front and center for the team once the offseason gets underway.