Michael Beasley was once a promising player for the Miami Heat, but after getting busted once again he was released by the Phoenix Suns and now is a free agent, leaving a team like the NBA champions as an option for him to sign with.
Miami obviously knows about Beasley's past, as they once got rid of him themselves, but despite his issues with marijuana and immaturity, signing their former number two pick could be a smart move for the Heat. The team always will need cheaper level NBA veterans to sign as long as they have the Big Three and after dealing with his legal issues, teams won't be offering Beasley too much money, meaning Miami could possibly get him on the cheap.
Beasley played in 75 games last season and averaged just over 10 points per game and he could be a perfect fit as a bench and role player for the defending champs. Beasley has good size for his position and after not returning on the promise he had as a number two pick. Perhaps a new partnership with LeBron James could snap him into focus. Playing on a team full of veterans rather than a young team like Phoenix could get Beasley to stay in line and the prospect of winning a championship and coming back to the team where he started could be more motivation for the former number two pick.
The Heat signed Greg Oden in the offseason and lost Mike Miller and Beasley could come in to try and help with some of that production, as he is a 34 percent three point shooter. Obviously he won't light the world on fire with his play, but at just 24-years-old, he has plenty of years ahead of him and he could try and show why the Heat drafted him back in 2008 in the first place.
Beasley was released by the Suns and placed on waivers after averaging 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds on 40.5 percent shooting and while it was a career low total of production, a new team and a new start could be just what he needs. The team has signed names like Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and Chris Andersen over the past few years at low market rates and Beasley fits right into that wheelhouse now, as he is like a blacklisted player after what happened in Phoenix.
Miami has the structure to try and keep him in line and a veteran leader in LeBron as well as Dwyane Wade and if things don't work out, Riley could always release him and move on. If he signed for a decent price, the risk is very low for Pat Riley and as the team tries to three-peat, he will be looking for any advantage he can get and Beasley could be one.
