The Los Angeles Lakers will decline their team option on guard Malik Beasley and waive center Mo Bamba, ESPN reported Thursday.
The moves will allow the Lakers to remain below the $172 million threshold, per the report. Beasley’s option was for $16.52 million.
The Lakers are mulling new contracts for Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell, and have been linked to free agent Bruce Brown.
The Lakers are open to bringing back either player — or both — on restructured deals, per the report. As it stands, Beasley and Bamba will become unrestricted free agents.
The Lakers acquired Beasley from the Utah Jazz in a February three-team trade that included Russell Westbrook. Beasley went on to average 11.1 points in 26 games (14 starts) for the Lakers. He averaged 12.7 points in 81 games overall between the teams.
Beasley, 26, has averaged 10.8 points over 417 career games (114 starts) with four teams, including the Denver Nuggets (2016-20). He was selected No. 19 overall by the Nuggets in the 2016 draft.
The Lakers acquired Bamba from the Orlando Magic in February as part of a four-team trade. He played in just nine games for the Lakers, averaging 3.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. Bamba, 25, has averaged 7.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 275 career games (82 starts) with the Magic and Lakers.
–Field Level Media
