On Wednesday a report surfaced that the Los Angeles Lakers worked out Miami Heat free agent forward Michael Beasley at the team’s practice facility in El Segundo, California. Beasley, who has drawn interest from many teams after showing improved efficiency shooting the ball last season, was reportedly very impressive.
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Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles has the scoop.
"The Los Angeles Lakers are considering signing free-agent forward Michael Beasley and brought in the six-year veteran for a workout at their El Segundo, California, practice facility Wednesday, according to multiple sources.“[Beasley] looked very good and he has been working out,” one source said. “A tiny rust from layoff, but [he] did a good job.”…This isn’t the first time the Lakers have expressed interest in the 6-foot-10, 235-pound small forward. The Lakers attempted to trade for Beasley twice during the 2011-12 season, when he played for the Timberwolves, but both deals fell through, the second just minutes before the trade deadline expired."
Although it is a bit of a long-shot, the Heat would still like to re-sign Beasley. However, like the Lakers, the Heat couldn’t offer anything more than the minimum salary. The Heat have also signed former Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Luol Deng as well as free agent forward James Ennis and former Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers’ forward Danny Granger.
Beasley averaged 7.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in 55 games last season. He shot 49.9% from the floor, 38.9% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line. In his six-year career, he has played for the Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns.