The Los Angeles Lakers are finally making more moves, just not for Anthony Davis. The team across the hall, the Los Angeles Clippers, are trading recently acquired forward Mike Muscala to the Lakers in exchange to Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley.
Muscala was traded to the Clippers from the 76ers in the Tobias Harris trade from early Wednesday morning and now finds himself next to LeBron James not even 48 hours later. Beasley is expected to be waived.
This report comes from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
The deal opens a roster spot and gives the Lakers a chance to sign a player in the buyout market. Muscala gives Lakers some shooting too. https://t.co/2g6wyghvig
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
The initial plan for the Los Angeles Clippers is to waive forward Michael Beasley, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 7, 2019
Muscala should be a nice fit next with the Lakers – who recently acquired another shooter in Reggie Bullock – and next to James, as he can spread the floor at the forward position to open space for the Lakers superstar.
Beasley, who recently had a locker room disagreement made public with Lakers head coach Luke Walton, has not been the playmaker that Los Angeles hoped he would be and is expected to hit the buyout market as a result.
The Clippers also pick up Zubac, who has slowly been showing signs of promise this season, especially over the last two or so months. He averaged 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game this season for the Lakers across 33 appearances. There was speculation that Zubac might be used as bait for any potential Anthony Davis trade that would send him to L.A.
With an extra roster spot now open for the Lakers, there have been reports that free agent Carmelo Anthony might be an option.
The Lakers plan to evaluate the full buyout market once it takes shape, but Carmelo Anthony is expected to be among the considerations too, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 7, 2019
