The official- "LA rejects X player for 1st"

[Draper]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... ke-beasley

It's not clear what the Lakers would give Minnesota for Beasley (if indeed the talks get that far), but the Lakers could absorb Beasley into their $8.9 million trade exception while giving up a draft pick or cash. I'm told the teams have not spoken about Pau Gasol since the preseason. Minnesota is looking to move Beasley, who they feel has matured very little (if at all) since he's been there, according to sources. The Lakers believe they can handle a player like Beasley because of their winning culture and the leadership of Bryant.

They want to see if they can get another point guard, such as Cleveland's Ramon Sessions, before making a play for Arenas. There's a good chance they can get Sessions for a first-round draft pick before the deadline, sources say. If they don't get Sessions or someone else, they may bring Arenas aboard.

[Jajwanda]

This sounds more likely. I like Beasley, but he needs to dedicate himself to a full-time position and receive the kind of leadership that Bryant could provide for him. It's a nice upside maneuver and the guy can shoot the ball from the outside.

I like that they're looking at Sessions, it's a good move for Dallas' first if they can get it done.

[Draper]

Sessions/Fisher/Blake
Kobe/Goudeluck/Barnes
Beasley/MWP
Pau/Murphy
Drew/McBob

Not bad.

[Jetset]

I don't, he'll self-destruct here. If Riley couldn't change him, no one can. Phil could possibly manage him but he isn't coming back.

[Jajwanda]

Is Beasley the better fit or Wes Johnson/Webster?

As far as Beasley goes the price for him won't be a first. Perhaps Ebanks.

[moonpie]

It depends on what other moves we would make. Instant upgrade over MWP though.

[Jajwanda]

I don't know about that Jet. We've kept Metta under wraps for a while and this guy is pretty young. I think Kobe would be exactly what he needs. I like one thing about Beasley, unlike Derrick Williams he has lateral quickness for defense on the perimeter, he just hasn't committed to it.

[TyCobb]

Lakers gotta do something. Get it done Mitch!

[salmahayek]

Would love Beasley at the right price. There is still a lot of upside there.

[Jajwanda]

The upside no question. What's an example of a guy that didn't get it together until later in his career that's similar?

[moonpie]

The upside no question. What's an example of a guy that didn't get it together until later in his career that's similar?

Speaking of LO comparisons, I'd love to snag Anthony Randolph from the T'wolves if we do deal Pau in some other trade and need a PF. Another guy that still has tremendous upside IMO.

[Edrees]

Beasley's worth taking a shot at, but he isn't worth losing one of our big 3 unless there was a top 5 pg in the package.

[Jajwanda]

Randolph is another one, no doubt that can play. I think it's underrated how much of a difference who you're around when you are 18-22 makes on your character. These guys simply go the wrong way a lot. As you said L.O. didn't really become an efficient player until much later in his career. Beasley has tremendous skills. His jump shot is fluid and he's just an overall exceptional one-on-one threat that's a match-up problem for anyone outside of LeBron.

Even at his current level of play he'd be a big upgrade over MWP because of that jumper.

[Draper]

Beasley's worth taking a shot at, but he isn't worth losing one of our big 3 unless there was a top 5 pg in the package.

From my understanding we'd be trying to add him to the Big 3.

[moonpie]

Just checked Beasely's salary too, he makes about $6.2M so we'd still have close to $3M of the TPE to play with (assuming he can be had for a TPE). Interesting.

EDIT: Also it seems like Beasely might've been the PF we were targeting after we got CP. Thanks Stern.

[Jajwanda]

That's Johnny Flynn's salary but I doubt that does much for us unless the team takes what is left of the TPE and does a complicated deal. I say get Beasley now and if need be they'll figure out something else for Sessions later on.

[High0ctane21]

Beasley is better than Barnes/MWP combined. He'd be a great upgrade at the position. If you guys can somehow manage to get Sessions as well, that could be enough to compete for the championship.

[doozyj]

Sessions/Fisher/Blake
Kobe/Goudeluck/Barnes
Beasley/MWP
Pau/Murphy
Drew/McBob

Not bad.

This looks really nice and looks like a team. Can we get this done Mitch?

[Jetset]

I don't know about that Jet. We've kept Metta under wraps for a while and this guy is pretty young. I think Kobe would be exactly what he needs. I like one thing about Beasley, unlike Derrick Williams he has lateral quickness for defense on the perimeter, he just hasn't committed to it.

So Metta was under wraps when he was joking around with John Ireland about some cologne after we had that embarrassing lost against the Bobcats last year? How about when he comes out and talks about Mike Brown to the media, was he under wraps then? The Kobe factor is overrated.

[Jajwanda]

Dude Metta can say whatever the heck he wants it's his game that bothers me. If Beasley had the discipline, the commitment on defense, and found better shot selection who do you think he compares to?