NBA trade rumors seemed like they would go on without any resolution until closer to the March 15 deadline, but that apparently won't be the case as the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly turned down the Minnesota Timberwolves offer of Michael Beasley for a first round pick.
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The Lakers and Timberwolves had been reportedly working on the deal for some time, but ESPN's Chris Broussard reported Wednesday afternoon that Los Angeles has decided to turn down the deal. Not because they don't like Beasley, they just don't want to dip too far into the luxury tax to pay him.
While Beasley, a talented and athletic small forward, would fill one of the Lakers' greatest needs, the Lakers rejected the offer because they do not want to add to their luxury tax bill, according to the source.
Broussard says the Lakers could change their mind before the trade deadline, but drops a more interesting nugget later in the story: if Los Angeles had been allowed to trade for Chris Paul earlier in the season, they would have made a subsequent trade for Beasley.
There was no mention of the other rumored deal between the Lakers and Wolves that would send Derrick Williams to Los Angeles in return for Pau Gasol.
For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.