The Los Angeles Lakers are said to have preliminary interest in troubled, recently waived forward Michael Beasley.
According to ESPN, with the Lakers having used their amnesty clause on Metta World Peace this summer, the 6-10, 235 pound Beasley is be viewed as a solid replacement. The team currently has no proven small forwards on its roster.
No one questions the talent of the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft; it's off the court where all his troubles have come. Most recently, the 24-year-old forward was arrested last month on suspicion of marijuana charges. The incident marked the third time in Beasley's year-long tenure with the team that he has been involved in a police-related matter.
In late January, he was cited for multiple driving violations, including driving 70 mph in a 45-mph zone. Beasley was also found to be traveling with a loaded revolver and the Mercedes he was driving did not have a license plate. Just last May, he was implicated in a sexual assault case but was never charged. News reports indicate that case remains open.
In the most recent incident, Beasley was taken into custody after police stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation and smelled marijuana emanating from the car. A search of the vehicle, which was later impounded, allegedly turned up marijuana in the driver's area.
But L.A. may be willing to forgive and forget all if Beasley can prove himself a fit for Mike D'Antoni's high-octane offense. He's averaged 14 points and 5.2 assists in just 26 minutes per game over his four-year career.
And it's not as if the Lakers haven't taken note of his production before. According to ESPN, twice in the 2011-12 season, the Lakers thought they had deals in place to acquire Beasley from Minnesota, the second time coming just seven minutes before the trade deadline.
The interest could be mutual. Beasley is rumored to be intrigued by the thought of playing in D'Antoni's fast-paced offense and ESPN points out he had his best pro season in 2010-11 playing under new Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis.
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