NBA 2018/19: 3 most disappointing Lakers of the season so far
With the halfway point of the 2018/19 NBA season quickly approaching, the Los Angeles Lakers are in a competitive position for the first time in half a decade. The team has been in a permanent decline since they last won the NBA Finals in 2010, and the Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs since 2013.
Nevertheless, LeBron James' addition in the 2018 off-season has completely transformed the Lakers into contenders, and the team currently sit 8th in the Western Conference. Despite recently turning 34, James has continued to demonstrate why he is the NBA's best player, while a number of other players on the roster have stepped up. Josh Hart has been effective at both ends, while JaVale McGee is having the best season of his career.
Despite this, not every member of the Lakers roster has had a good start to the season, and here we will look at the three players who need to pick up their form in the coming months.
#3 Michael Beasley
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Michael Beasley to a one-year, $3.5 million contract back in July, although things haven't worked out as planned. Last season with the Knicks, Beasley enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Despite this, the 29-year-old has failed to get good minutes in the Lakers rotation, and personal issues have resulted in Beasley spending long periods away from the team.
Beasley's disappointing season has been through no fault of his own. Beasley is averaging 5.7 points in just 8.6 minutes per game and is shooting a career high of .574 from the field. Nevertheless, Beasley's move to the Lakers hasn't worked out, and the veteran could be traded this month.