NBA Rumors: Ranking and predicting where the top 35 NBA free agents will sign

21. Malik Beasley (team option)

Malik Beasley had a team option for the 2023-24 season and was accepted by the Los Angeles Lakers. Even though he kind of fell out of the rotation by the end of the season, he’s still a young player that the team can’t completely give up on. Beasley is still just 26 years old and still a good offensive prospect. Even in a reduced role with the Lakers, Beasley still managed to average 11 points on 35 percent shooting from 3-point range.

With what the Lakers needed from this asset (Beasley’s contract), it only made sense for the team to opt into the final year of the deal. Plus, every season takes its own identity. And maybe Beasley does emerge as a true rotation player for Los Angeles with a full year under his belt with the team.

Or maybe his contract is used as the Lakers attempt to make a trade to upgrade their roster further. Either way, this was an easy move for the Lakers. Beasley will have to wait one more season before he gets the opportunity to get a fresh start (of his choosing), if that’s what he wants to do at this point in his career.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers