NBA Trade Rumors: Malik Beasley publicly attempts to recruit Lakers’ $195,868,144 longtime target after latest report

Detroit Pistons star Malik Beasley publicly tried to recruit Lauri Markkanen after a Pistons media outlet on Instagram reported on teams having interest in the Utah Jazz star.

On Sunday, Pistons Talk on Instagram shared a graphic of Jazz star Lauri Markkanen in a Pistons jersey and reported that several teams, including the Heat and the Spurs, were interested in checking in the Finnish international this offseason.

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Malik Beasley dropped in the post's comment section and said that he could make a move happen for the Jazz star.

"We have ties I can make it happen." Beasley said in his comment.

According to Spotrac, Lauri Markkanen is currently on a four-year $195,868,144 contract with the Utah Jazz. He is in the first year of his contract and has three more years left.

Markannen has been a longtime target for the LA Lakers. The purple and gold have tried to acquire the 2023 Most Improved player several times in the last couple of years, but a deal has never materialized.

The Jazz All-Star could solve most of the problems for the current Lakers roster, as they are missing a big man fitting the exact profile of Markannen. However, given the big contract the Jazz star is on, it would be tough for the purple and gold to incorporate him without making sacrifices and touching the luxury tax apron.

Malik Beasley's future at the Pistons is uncertain

The Detroit Pistons had a successful run this season, turning themselves into a playoff contender after years of being a bottom-of-the-barrel team. Malik Beasley played a big role in making that happen alongside the franchise's star player, Cade Cunningham.

He averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field and 41.6% from deep. According to Spotrac, Beasley had signed a one-year $6,000,000 contract with the Pistons at the start of the season, and now he is an unrestricted free agent.

The former Bucks player has shown great synergy with the Cade Cunningham-led squad. More importantly, he enables the Pistons to be a threat from beyond the arc. Malik Beasley is an enticing option for teams in the league looking for a guard who can put pressure on the opposing team from range and also carry the ball during offensive possessions.

The Pistons have not yet made any official announcement about resigning the former Bucks player, but if they do not hurry, another team can pounce on the opportunity and get ahead of them.

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About the author

Avi Shravan

Avi Shravan's first year of college was the year he discovered his passion for basketball and the NBA. He has been an ardent fan of the sport ever since, from waking up early to cover games to watching pundit discussions, he does it all.

Avi is a big fan of Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks and Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves and firmly believes that the young star is the next big thing in the NBA.

Avi graduated in Mass Communication and Journalism, further enhancing his skills as a journalist and a writer. In his spare time when he is not writing, you can find him playing video games, watching anime, or reading a book he randomly picked at a bookstore.

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