Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Lakers star (Image via Instagram / @lukadoncic) With the 2025-26 NBA season approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in serious need of shooting and floor spacing to complement their star-studded roster. One name emerging strongly in trade and free agency chatter is Malik Beasley, a sharpshooting guard with a well-documented history in the league. Could the Los Angeles Lakers make a play for him? Let’s break down how a trade could work, the potential benefits and drawbacks for all sides, and whether this move is likely to materialize.
Malik Beasley’s Profile: From Scoring Spark to Trade Target
Malik Beasley, age 28, is known for his prolific three-point shooting. In the 2024-25 NBA season with the Detroit Pistons, he averaged 16.3 points per game on 41.6% shooting from beyond the arc – one of the best marks in the league. He played all 82 games last season and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.Malik Beasley recently cleared a federal gambling investigation that had put his free agency in limbo for a few months. Now fully cleared, he is available and presents an opportunity for teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, who desperately need improved shooting.However, Beasley has had some off-court issues in the past, including a guilty plea in 2020 for threats of violence, leading to an NBA suspension. This background contributes to some hesitancy teams may have, including the Los Angeles Lakers, who previously passed on picking up his contract option due to cap and consistency concerns.
Structuring a Lakers–Pistons Trade Scenario
Malik Beasley (Image via Getty)
Currently, Malik Beasley is with the Detroit Pistons, who had a pending three-year, $42 million deal lined up before the gambling investigation stalled it. With the Lakers’ salary cap locked, a trade or consolidation deal is mandatory before signing him.
A plausible trade proposal could look like this:
• Lakers receive: Malik Beasley • Pistons receive: A young player or future second-round draft picksThe Los Angeles Lakers would need to shed salary and clear roster space through player trades, buyouts, or waivers to make this scenario realistic.
Why Beasley’s Shooting Could Transform the Los Angeles Lakers’ Offense
The Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and Luka Doncic-centric offense thrives when surrounded by reliable shooters. Beasley’s elite 3-point shooting (41.6% last year) fills one of the Lakers’ biggest weaknesses. • Elite Floor Spacing: Opens up lanes for James and Davis to attack. • Off-Ball Scoring: Allows playmakers to dominate while Beasley punishes defenses on kick-outs. • Veteran Depth: With nine years in the NBA, he brings maturity and scoring consistency.Potential concerns include his inconsistent defense and streaky shooting in past Lakers stints. However, his recent Detroit run suggests stronger reliability.
What Malik Beasley Gains From a Los Angeles Lakers Move
For Malik Beasley, joining the Los Angeles Lakers offers career-defining advantages: • Championship Opportunity: A legitimate shot at deep playoff runs. • Defined Role: Clear identity as the Lakers’ primary perimeter shooter. • Market Exposure: Playing in LA boosts his brand and career profile.
The Lakers’ Potential Payoff in a Beasley Trade
• Reliable Perimeter Shooting: Beasley addresses one of the Lakers’ most glaring weaknesses. • Bench Scoring Punch: Provides instant offense behind the starters. • Tactical Flexibility: Enhances spacing, making offensive sets harder to defend.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Malik Beasley Trade
Which Team Gains the Most From This Move?
Lakers vs Bulls (Image via Getty)
• Lakers: Clear winners if they land Beasley without losing key contributors. • Beasley: Benefits from a fresh start on a contending team. • Pistons: Win if they acquire assets while clearing salary.
Assessing the Trade’s Realistic Chances
The trade is possible but far from simple. While Beasley’s cleared legal status removes a major barrier, the Lakers’ financial restrictions remain a stumbling block. Interest within the organization is real, but history shows hesitancy around Beasley’s inconsistencies.If the Los Angeles Lakers find a way to consolidate salary and roster space, Beasley is viewed by many league insiders as a “no-brainer” fit. Until then, the move sits in the “plausible but uncertain” category.
My Final Thoughts: A Potential Reunion Worth Watching
Malik Beasley looks like a natural fit for Los Angeles, with his shooting providing a much-needed boost to a roster built around superstars. His availability after clearing investigations reopens doors that were previously closed.Also read: Malik Beasley Cleared from Federal Gambling Probe, Free Agency Market ReopensThe key lies in whether the Los Angeles Lakers can maneuver cap space and find trade partners. A deal with the Pistons remains a realistic route. While nothing is guaranteed, this storyline could be one of the more interesting offseason developments for the Lakers’ playoff ambitions in 2025-26.