Lakers Rumors: Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt Almost Traded To West Rival At Deadline

Two deadline acquisitions would've donned another cub's jerseys if this trade went down.

Your Los Angeles Lakers were very active in the 24 hours leading up to the February 9th NBA trade deadline. They got rid of 6'1" starting "shooting" guard Patrick Beverly in exchange for big man Mo Bamba as part of a four-team trade. LA also flipped center Thomas Bryant for second-round draft compensation (plus guard Davon Reed). 

The most significant trade for LA this year happened the day before the deadline. 

The Lakers traded away Juan-Toscano Anderson, Damian Jones, and maximum-salaried point guard Russell Westbrook for three much better players: D'Angelo Russell from the Timberwolves, Jarred Vanderbilt, and guard Malik Beasley from the Jazz. 

The trade was necessary for Los Angeles as they desperately needed to get rid of Westbrook and get back players who fit better alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

LA got younger and is a more formidable squad today. At least, it would be if James was healthy.

However, according to Michael Scott of Hoops Hype, two players from the Westbrook trade were almost dealt in another package deal that would've landed them with a Lakers division rival. 

Atlanta also tried to acquire Crowder in three-team trade talks with Utah and Phoenix centered around Collins going to Utah, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley going to Phoenix, and Crowder and Shamet going to Atlanta. Among the reasons this scenario didn’t materialize was a disagreement in draft pick compensation that would’ve gone to Utah in the talks.

And thank goodness for that. If the trade scenario above had gone down, the Lakers trade we know today would've ceased to exist. 

Vanderbilt brings size, energy, and defensive prowess to the purple and gold. He's made such a significant impact on both sides of the court, especially with his rebounding. 

Beasley is an excellent three-point shooter who can shoot it in a spot-up position, off curls and pin-downs. He can also create his own shot when he wants to. 

The dynamic of LA would have looked entirely different, and when you add that LeBron will miss some time, you start to wonder if the Lakers pre-trade deadline would be able to stay afloat.

LA is happy to have Vanderbilt and Beasley in the Purple and Gold, as fans are hoping those two can play a factor in leading them into the playoffs.  

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