Michael Beasley: New York hurt my feelings so badly. I really wanted to stay in New York for the rest of my career. I had a good year. We were losing, but I was a bright spot. I used to drive after every practice and every game or get on the train to see my mom because she had cancer. At the end of the season in the exit meeting, the flight home from the last game was when they fired Jeff Hornacek. They had Corey Gaines do our exit meetings. I walk in, and he runs down my stats for the year. In my mind, I’m like you finally did it, got a nice contract, and solidified yourself a home for at least three years.
More on Michael Beasley Free Agency
Former No. 2 overall draft pick Michael Beasley is eying a return to the NBA. Before this season, Beasley played in the NBA’s Vegas Summer League with the Portland Trail Blazers and averaged 11.4 points on 44 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent from three-point range with 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game. The 33-year old forward, who hired agent Charles Briscoe of Briscoe Sports Group, has been training in Miami with Ronnie Taylor. Beasley and his representation have been in contact with several teams recently, with the trade deadline nearing and the buyout market beginning shortly afterward.
What have you been up to since then? Michael Beasley: I’ve been staying in the gym and keeping my head down, trying to be as positive as I can be. I’ve been staying around some good people. If you watch my Instagram, I work out with John Wall, Tyreke Evans, and whoever is in town. I try to keep my mind on the goal no matter how dark it gets or unrealistic it may seem. I have dreams, and I want to be somebody remembered that, if not for anything else, somebody that fought for my dreams. These last three years, I’ve been in the gym every day working on my craft, getting stronger, sharpening my jump shot, sharpening my handles, defense one-on-one, or five-on-five. I’ve become a student of the game again and have repeated that process.
Michael Beasley: The Knicks hurt my feelings. On the court, I had Kurt Rambis there. I think 15 or 20 games into the season, Kurt came to me and asked me if I thought I should be playing? I said, “Yeah.” He said, “Before I ask you why, every time you go on the floor, just show the coach why you should be playing.” I had something to play for. Off the court, nobody knows this, but I found out my mom had cancer going into training camp in New York. That was extra motivation. I used to drive down after every game and every practice to Baltimore and kick it with my mom.
Knowing all this stuff now, is there any advice you’d give yourself earlier in your career or do differently? Michael Beasley: I would believe in myself. I’ve been battling confidence issues my whole life. Everybody’s voices, everybody’s negative opinions. I was 19, and they were expecting me to be a grown-up. I wish I had the mindset and the balls to have fun and play basketball the way I know how to play basketball. Regarding confidence on the basketball court, it seemed like you could do a lot from shooting, rebounding, and why you were a high pick. When you said confidence, was that on the court or outside as a person? Michael Beasley: Both. It started on the court. The first thing that happened to me when I got to the NBA was everyone told me what I couldn’t do. That’s literally all I’ve heard for my entire career. Even if I couldn’t do things, which I didn’t agree with, what about the things that I could do? Can we make those things better or work around that? Every other player you build around, you build around how they play.
Michael Beasley: @Lakers no disrespect, y’all need help
Marc Stein: Veteran NBA forward Michael Beasley has been sent an @nbagleague contract, league sources say, which means Beasley has been extended an invitation to enter the G League player pool. More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com
Michael Scotto: Sources: Blazers have interest in Michael Beasley, James Ennis, Isaiah Hartenstein & Patrick Patterson. Clippers are also in the mix for Hartenstein. Ennis has 4 teams interested. @YossiGozlan on Thunder trades to watch & roster battles. More on @hoopshype.
Shams Charania: 11-year NBA veteran Michael Beasley has agreed to play with the Portland Trail Blazers at Las Vegas Summer League in August, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium .
Shams Charania: Veteran NBA players Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley have signed contracts to play in the NBA G League, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium . Stephenson and Beasley will be in the Draft on Monday.
Keith Smith: The Brooklyn Nets have officially voided the Substitute Player contract for Michael Beasley. Brooklyn has one open Substitute Player spot they can fill.
Shams Charania: Nets forward Michael Beasley tested positive for coronavirus, returned home and his roster status is up in the air, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Bobby Marks: Here are the financials on the Michael Beasley signing: 🏀$289,803 for the rest of the season 💰5 game suspension- $9,993 If Beasley had signed a minimum contract before the season, the suspension would have cost $88,440.
Stadium: "This will be a great opportunity for (Jamal) Crawford and (Michael) Beasley to make an impression for the 20-21 roster with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving," our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports.
Shams Charania: Michael Beasley is moving toward a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Emiliano Carchia: Shanxi is trying to sign Michael Beasley and release Malcolm Thomas from his contract, a source told @Emiliano Carchia. Beasley agreed to terms with the Pistons last month, but never officially signed in Detroit.
Chris Haynes: Detroit Pistons are waiving forward Michael Beasley, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Bobby Marks: Detroit will not have to have put a waiver request in for Michael Beasley. The veteran never signed a contract with the Pistons. Barring a trade to open a roster spot, Joe Johnson will compete against Christian Wood for roster spot no. 15.
The Vertical: Michael Beasley reportedly passed on a guaranteed deal in China worth 2.6M to compete in camp for a spot on the Pistons, per @James Edwards III and @Shams Charania. pic.twitter.com/GvoKk6wBQx
Rod Beard: A league source confirms Shams Charania report that #Pistons have agreed to a one-year deal with Michael Beasley. The deal is non-guaranteed unless Beasley makes the regular-season roster.
James Edwards III: Beasley’s non-guaranteed deal (I can confirm — sorry, on vacation) gives the #Pistons 16 guys going into camp. Obviously, someone will go at some point before the season starts.
Shams Charania: Free agent Michael Beasley has agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Shams Charania: After 5-game suspension from NBA on Thursday for failed drug test from last fall, Michael Beasley plans to sign deal that gives him legitimate opportunity to make Pistons roster, sources said. Beasley joins Derrick Rose (No. 1) on Detroit as top two picks in 2008 draft.
Jeff Goodman: Michael Beasley leaning towards accepting an offer in China for this season worth approximately $5 million, source told @Stadium.
Jeff Goodman: The Michael Beasley deal for the rest of the season and playoffs in China is worth about $2 million plus bonuses, source told @Stadium.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Ex-Lakers forward Michael Beasley is finalizing a deal with .... Guangdong of the Chinese Basketball Association, sources tell ESPN. Short run of two months, significant cash.
B/R: LeBron is signed for several years, and the Lakers have this young core. It's early, but can you envision Los Angeles being a place to settle down? Michael Beasley: I've felt like that every year for the last eight years, so I'm going into this situation with the mindset of playing basketball for a year and coming home to Atlanta at the end of the year and whatever happens, happens. I want a long-term contract, two, three, four years, 100 percent. But at this point, I'm tired of getting my hopes up and smashed. But the Lakers organization, from Rob Pelinka to Jeanie Buss to Magic, they've treated us like family. So, they did nothing wrong as to why I feel the way I feel. It's just kinda like a battered-dog situation. I'm gonna take it a day at a time, and hopefully the days don't end.
Chris Haynes: Sources: It’s a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
Shams Charania: Free agent Michael Beasley has agreed to a deal with the Lakers, league sources tell Yahoo.
With the moratorium ending at noon and the Knicks set to announce Hezonja as a Knick, Beasley is said to have two teams in the mix. “He’s disappointed with the Knicks, though he understands that they are going young,” said one NBA source who has spoken to Beasley.
Mike Vorkunov: David Fizdale said the Knicks are "still looking to do a few things. I know we still got a little room to do some things" in free agency. When asked if there's a chance of re-signing Michael Beasley, he says to ask GM Scott Perry because "right now I’m kinda out of the loop.”
As the Knicks figure out how to fill their stopgap starting power forward position during their expected quiet free agency, Beasley is still in the mix, according to NBA sources, but hardly a given. Knicks brass is doing their due diligence in investigating the rest of the mid-level power forward market as they are expected to wield an $8.6 million exception when free agency begins Sunday. Enes Kanter’s expected decision to opt into his $18.6 million contract will leave the Knicks without cap space but they don’t have a lot of open spots on their 15-man roster anyway.
Beasley’s market value is an unknown after signing for the veteran’s minimum last summer on his way to becoming a Garden favorite. According to sources, Portland, Atlanta and Milwaukee could have interest. Kevin Durant lobbied last season for Golden State to make a play for Beasley, his buddy from Washington, D.C. The Warriors have discussed Beasley internally for the veteran’s minimum, but it doesn’t look like they will make a move.
Whether the 6-foot-9 Beasley gets to play for Fizdale is up in the air. The 29-year-old forward becomes a free agent July 1 and is coming off a statistically heady 2017-18 campaign. According to an NBA source, the Hawks and Suns have interest in Beasley and both clubs have cap space. Beasley has a home in Atlanta and is said to be intrigued.
Even though the Hawks and Suns could outbid the Knicks, an NBA source believes if the Knicks offer Beasley their entire $8.6 million — even on a one-year deal — it may be satisfactory. The Knicks want to refrain from giving out long-term deals that would reduce their cap space in 2019 or 2020. “He definitely wants to come back to New York and play for Fizdale,’’ the source close to Beasley said. “Fizdale is another plus. But it’s still a business.’’
Michael Beasley, who has been one of the pleasant surprise offseason signings, started in place of Porzingis at power forward Thursday and probably for the rest of the season. He finished Thursday with 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting with seven rebounds and three steals. He will be a free agent, and the Knicks have their eyes on re-signing him if they can. “That’s not really my mindset,” Beasley said of the new opportunity. “I still haven’t really wrapped my head around KP, man. But it’s an opportunity for everybody to show that we can band together, to show that we can hold the fort down , show that we can be better.”
There hasn’t been much interest in Beasley and, even if there was, the Knicks think very highly of a player that has exceeded expectations. Player development VP Craig Robinson is especially big on Beasley and the Knicks may even dip into their mid level to re-sign him over the summer. Here’s the key with that negotiation, however: don’t give more than a one-year deal.
Beasley, an impending free agent, told The Post he’s tired of moving and hopes his scoring prowess this season will earn him a long-term spot as a Knick. He also said it wouldn’t be appropriate to start fantasizing about playing with the Warriors next season. “He’s a best friend. Why not?’’ Beasley said. “But right now I’m a New York Knick. So me placing myself on another team during the season is not fair to my guys. Let the summer be the summer.
Ian Begley: The Knicks announce that they've signed Michael Beasley. Sources say it's a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum.
David 'Dubi' Pick: Shandong offered over $3M to re-sign Michael Beasley, but he wanted the Knicks. His NBA net income is less than he'd make in China.
Michael Scotto: New York Knicks and former No. 2 overall pick Michael Beasley are nearing agreement on a one-year deal, a league source told @BBallInsiders.
Ian Begley: Knicks are expected to have a deal completed with Michael Beasley later today, league sources told ESPN. Beasley is a former No. 2 overall pick who played most recently with Milwaukee. His agreement was reported by Basketball Insiders.
Coral Lu: Source said CBA team Shandong Golden Stars offered Michael Beasley a 3-year, $15 million contract to convince him to play in China
They signed Matt Barnes, and he would welcome a return. But the Warriors want more athleticism and offense at that spot. A name I’m hearing the Warriors are eyeing: Michael Beasley.
Jonathan Feigen: As mentioned yesterday and no surprise, source said Rockets have decided will keep Michael Beasley past guarantee date.
Jonathan Feigen: Nene gives Rockets 13 roster players. Have decision on Andrew Goudelock by Aug. 1, but source said last week will keep Michael Beasley past guarantee date.
Morey also could bring back Michael Beasley, who appears to be a bargain, and keep his qualifying offer and cap hold to try to keep restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas, and still have $38 million to spend. Terrence Jones, Josh Smith and Jason Terry will be free agents. Harden, Pat Beverley, Trevor Ariza, Corey Brewer, K.J. McDaniels, Beasley and Andrew Goudelock are all under contract with the Rockets, the latter two with team options for next season; Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell and Sam Dekker are on their rookie deals.
Houston Rockets forward Michael Beasley has also left Allegiant Athletic Agency. Beasley returned to the NBA to play for the Rockets in early March after playing in the Chinese Basketball Association and being named MVP of that league’s All-Star Game in January. Beasley had been with Karnes since 2013, but was without an agent last week.
The Rockets might not be ready to rely on that, having tried to fill that position so often before. But of all the power forwards on the roster, only Harrell has a guaranteed contract for next season. The Rockets hope that Beasley shows enough in the remainder of this season to bring him back for another. For now, they are a team paying a franchise-record $95 million in salary and luxury taxes. Their concern is more immediate than to collect options for next season.
"We're looking for someone who can help us now and help us into the future," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "We wouldn't sign a guy we didn't think could help us this year. Obviously, it hasn't been the year we wanted, but winning this year continues to be the goal."
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward Michael Beasley. He will wear #8 for the Rockets.
Fresh off being named MVP of the Chinese Basketball Association, Michael Beasley is headed to the Houston Rockets, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that Beasley and the Rockets have agreed to a contract for the rest of the season at the league minimum, with Houston possessing a team option for next season.
Jonathan Feigen: Can confirm @Marc Stein report. Rockets to sign Michael Beasley. deal for rest of season with team option for next season.
Marc Stein: ESPN sources say that the Houston Rockets are closing in on a deal to sign Michael Beasley
A handful of players could be available to sign with NBA teams when their season with the Chinese Basketball Association has ended, including former NBA players Michael Beasley, Dorell Wright, Jordan Crawford, and MarShon Brooks.
Marc Stein: ESPN sources say perennial Euro power Maccabi Tel Aviv tried to sign Michael Beasley but was told Beas is NBA-bound once China's season ends
Ira Winderman: In wake of ESPN report, it does not appear Heat among the teams pursuing Michael Beasley at the moment.
Marc Stein: A clutch of NBA teams, I'm told, are tracking Michael Beasley as he nears a return from China. Last seen in the NBA last season with Miami, Beasley has played his way into contention for a late-season contract back home after a strong season in which he's established himself a 40-plus percent shooter from 3-point range while leading Shandong to the playoffs for the first time in more than a half-decade with a slew of gaudy numbers.
Ira Winderman: Michael Beasley confirms on his Instagram he again will start the season in China. https://instagram.com/p/8Q7qiDwMmJ/
Michael Beasley: #6 #UBALRT #ImOnAMission http://instagram.com/p/8Q7qiDwMmJ/
David Pick: Source: Michael Beasley signed a $600,000 deal with Chinese club Shandong.
According to the Shandong team insiders, Shandong basketball new foreign import Michael Beasley will arrive in Jinan soon.
