<\/p>\n
Malik Beasley believes his brief run with the Los Angeles Lakers could have looked very different under better circumstances.<\/p>\n
Beasley arrived in Los Angeles at the 2023 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent Russell Westbrook to the Utah Jazz.<\/p>\n
While much of the attention centered on D\u2019Angelo Russell returning to the franchise, Beasley was viewed as a valuable addition thanks to his elite perimeter shooting.<\/p>\n
However, things never clicked for the veteran guard in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
\u201cMan, I wish I had played better with the Lakers,\u201d Beasley said speaking during a livestream with content creator N3on<\/a>,.<\/p>\n Beasley admitted he still looks back on that period with regret, \u201cI was going through a lot of mental sh\u2013 at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n Beasley went on to explain that the challenges extended far beyond basketball and affected him throughout his time with the franchise.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople don\u2019t even think about all the outside noise, like your regular life outside of basketball,\u201d Beasley noted. \u201cLike for me, I didn\u2019t know where to live so I lived in Beverly Hills, but it was like 40 minutes away from the arena and 40 minutes away from the practice facility. So you had to pick which one, either you wanted to live close to the arena or close to the practice facility. You go to Utah, everything is in the same gym.<\/p>\n \u201cSo that part and then obviously public issues with my teammates and other stuff like that. And then my own issues at home with my ex. So just wasn\u2019t the best mentally when I was playing for the Lakers and if I could go back I would destroy it for that sh\u2013 again. But I did break a record. Seven 3-pointers in one half, only me and Kobe Bryant.\u201d<\/p>\n Since leaving Los Angeles, Beasley has reminded everyone of the talent that made him such an intriguing addition in the first place.<\/p>\n Just two years later, he nearly led the NBA in made three-pointers with the Detroit Pistons and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Walker Kessler Turns Down Jazz Extension as Contract Talks Stall<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n