Los Angeles Lakers: Michael Beasley is the odd man out

The Los Angeles Lakers played the team’s first preseason game on Sunday and one thing is clear: Michael Beasley is the odd man out.

The Los Angeles Lakers played the team’s first preseason game of the new year on Sunday and there were a ton of takeaways. Most notably, LeBron James wearing the purple and gold was not a figment of our imagination and he is still the best basketball player on the planet.

For the most part, most of the takeaways from the Lakers’ first preseason game were positive, even in a loss. The Lakers were outscored 124 to 107 by the Denver Nuggets but showed a ton of positive signs in the areas they needed to see them the most.

However, the game was not entirely positive as there were some negative takeaways as well. Most of these negative takeaways are regarding one specific player and should not be indicative of if the Lakers can be successful this season.

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Plus, it is just a one-game sample size in a game that does not really matter. Nothing here is concrete.

The closest takeaway to being concrete that I noticed while watching the game is the usage of Michael Beasley. Beasley is a veteran and the Lakers would rather see what the young core is capable of, that is fair.

However, based on his usage and his performance while he was on the court, it is clear that Michael Beasley will be the odd man out this season.

Beasley played only six minutes on Sunday and scored four points on a three-point attempt and free throw. He also added a block alongside two turnovers.

While he was out there, the skill gap between Beasley and his younger counterparts were evident. Kyle Kuzma is leaps and strides better, and a better fit, than Beasley and even Johnathan Williams played better.

Again, it is a small sample size, but this is without Moritz Wagner ever seeing the floor. Beasley likely will be tried at some center throughout the preseason but so will Wagner once he is fully healthy.

Ivica Zubac was not great so that partially opens the door for Beasley to get minutes but the Lakers would be better in giving that time to Wagner. Wagner gives the Lakers more down low and is a better off-ball and spot up scorer than Beasley.

Lance Stephenson had some headshaking moments, Rajon Rondo looked good and JaVale McGee, although his play was certainly flawed, lead the team in points.

All three of those guys have areas to improve in respect to their roles but they all at least have said roles. Right now, it is hard to find a path to Beasley in which he will be a serious playmaker.

Beasley is still going to make the roster and is still going to get playing time early in the season. By the time February rolls around, though, he may be used as trade bait to improve the roster elsewhere or could be outright released for a roster spot.

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I do not think fans of the Los Angeles Lakers should expect much out of Michael Beasley this season. He is obviously the odd man out and likely won’t finish the season in LA.

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