The Los Angeles Lakers have been working hard behind the scenes to try and facilitate a blockbuster trade deal that would not only significantly improve their roster but possibly impact the landscape of the NBA ahead of the new season. Things haven't exactly been very progressive for LA on that front, which is why they might need to focus their attention elsewhere.

According to an anonymous Western Conference executive, a guy like Malik Beasley could be a viable target for the Lakers. Beasley recently joined the Utah Jazz as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The unnamed source believes that LA should revive its interest in the 6-foot-4 shooting guard:

“They need shooting. If you don’t get Kyrie, you need shooting. If you do get Kyrie, you need shooting,” the executive told Austin Boyd of heavy.com. “So they’re keeping their options open for that. They’ve asked about Eric Gordon but they don’t have the pieces to get him, not right now, at least, the Rockets are playing hardball on him for some reason. But I think Malik Beasley is the guy they should be looking at if they can get him from Utah. They asked about him when he was in Minnesota, now they can try to get him in a situation where Utah does not want him. The Jazz want picks so the Lakers would have to give up one of their picks, but he is in their range.”

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wsaZIZrrM0YHuxwMRJN2Z?si=891136084af34d8e

The Jazz are in the midst of a full rebuild right now as they try to find a trade partner for cornerstone superstar Donovan Mitchell. Beasley does not exactly figure in their current plans, so he could be within the Lakers' reach, particularly if they are willing to part ways with a couple of future draft picks.

Malik Beasley is no Kyrie Irving, but the former could actually prove to be a key piece for the Lakers in 2021-22.