Malik Beasley is a popular target heading into this year’s trade deadline, with several contenders expected to make a play for the Jazz guard, writes Sean Deveney of Heavy.
The desire around the league for more shooting, combined with a shortage of sellers, could produce an “overheated” market for Beasley, an Eastern Conference executive tells Deveney. The 26-year-old is averaging 13.7 PPG for Utah while connecting at 39.9% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. His contract is relatively affordable, with a $16.5MM team option for 2023/24.
“It is a thin market,” the executive said. “You are going to have to overpay because there are not a ton of guys you can go out and get. … A lot of playoff teams are trying to figure out what it is going to take to get him.”
The Jazz are asking for a first-round pick in return for Beasley, along with a young player and whatever it takes to match salaries, according to Deveney, who hears that Utah is willing to take on salary beyond this season if it believes the players if acquires can eventually be moved for another first-rounder.
Deveney cites the Heat as among the top contenders for Beasley, possibly as part of a larger deal that would also bring Kelly Olynyk back to Miami for a package that includes Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin along with picks and other young players. Miami prefers to hold onto 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic, according to Deveney, who believes that stance could change as the deadline nears.
Deveney also mentions the Cavaliers in a rumor first floated last week by Marc Stein. The proposed three-team deal would send Beasley to Cleveland, Caris LeVert‘s expiring contract to the Hawks and John Collins to Utah.
The Bucks and Nets are also interested in Beasley, Deveney adds, but both teams are limited in the draft assets they can offer. Milwaukee doesn’t have a first-round pick to trade until 2029, while Brooklyn would like to deal Seth Curry or Joe Harris for Beasley, but can’t trade a first-rounder until 2028.
The Celtics, who nearly traded for Beasley last season before acquiring Derrick White, probably won’t be involved in the pursuit this year, Deveney states. He expects them to seek a less expensive wing if they’re active in the market at all, possibly offering Danilo Gallinari and Payton Pritchard in return.
Deveney identifies the Pelicans and Warriors as “dark horses” in the Beasley chase, with New Orleans having the combination of draft capital, young players and salary fillers that Utah is seeking, and Golden State able to get involved if management decides to part with either James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody.
Beasley, ask for 1 First and good young players in return
Eric Gordon, 34 years old, ask for 1 first in return
Bogdanovic, 34, ask for 2 Firsts in return
Lakers can make Walker, Nunn and Beverley available and ask for 3 total of first round picks in return
One player each pick
Huh? None of those three Lakers would be worth a first-round pick alone, let alone a combined for a single first round. No value there, sorry homer.
The Lakers are going to have to add compensation for teams to take those guys.
I would say Beverley is similar value to a first, his hustle and defence would be a good addition to a fair few contenders. So yea he could fall into the Gordon value.(who is worth a 1st. Good 3&D. on a good team is easily a 40% corner 3pt shooter)
But have to agree with the other, Nunn and Walker are near worthless no matter what Lakers fans try to spin.
Lakers fans are the dumbest. You could combine all 3 and not get a FRP back.
Those guys have been available all year and nothing. Do u really thing LA would say no to anyone on that list and a 1st?? The stupidity surrounding the value of lakers players is something.
I believe Beasley has a team option next year, not a player option.
Thanks, that’s been fixed.
It is, I didn’t ever look it up because reports always say player option. Him having a team option makes him even more valuable. I didn’t think he was worth a 1st unless like top 22 protected, but this kinda changes it. Top 14 protected.
A career 11 pt scorer……
I wouldn’t give up a 1st rd pick. Unles it’s a late 1st rd (24-30) pick.
I see the Jazz making moves. More draft capital and young talent in return. Expiring contracts. So they can build thru draft next yr.
The team that drafted him first should get him in Denver. Letting him go to Minny cost them the championship the next season.
Idk about costing a championship but Denver screwed itself over letting Jerami Grant, Beasley and Vanderbilt go.
Not going to get a first rounder for that contract, maybe a future. He’s having a down year, he’s dynamic though.
He’s a chucker. He had a couple good shooting seasons but clearly his shot selection is on the downhill. And he doesn’t make good decisions off the court.
If you’re parting with a bad multiyear contract, go for it. Attach a 1st and you’ll get some scoring but hes a chucker.
Like the Hornets should try to get him and Olynyk for Hayward and a couple picks. Guard depth for their oft injured guard, and a stretch 5. And Utah gets the most Utah player ever back + picks.
Beasley is one of those shooters that can easily get his shot off against tough defenses. He has a high release on his jumpshot and good size for a guard. That’s hard to block.
The playoffs are all about matchups and tighter defense. Beasley would be perfect as a defense breaker for a playoff team. That’s why he’s so sought after. Teams have realized this and know they need him to go further.
Don’t be so focused on stats to find why teams try to trade for players, unless you’re comparing ages. Beasley is 26 vs Gordon, 34.
The c’s need a backup 4 or 5 not another shooting guard so if they decide to trade PP or G. Williams (who I would prefer) it needs to be for one of those and if they can’t then do nothing and wait for the BO market it’s not going to be like most yrs players will have u at the top or their list
Pritchard for Naz Reid.
Malik is going to make some team very happy to have him… The Lakers would die to have him…
As long as he doesn’t play with his guns of course…