Steve Nash is out; Michael Beasley is in with the Suns as he reaches a verbal commitment three-year deal worth $18 million.
Beasley chose the Suns from a group of five suitors after visiting with club officials on Wednesday, while Phoenix also was agreeing to send Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal.
Beasley, the second overall pick in the 2008 draft, averaged 15.1 points per game in his four NBA career, two with Miami and the past two with Minnesota. His best season was 2010-11, when he averaged 19.2 points with the Timberwolves.
Throughout his career, Beasley has received criticism on his level of maturity, in which the Suns are not scared off by but instead are fond of him as a player and a person, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard.
Suns general manager Lance Blanks has a history of working with troubled players dating back to his time as an executive with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Blanks was instrumental in bringing volatile guard Delonte West to the Cavs and continue to have a strong relationship with him.
On Wednesday, the Suns also worked out a deal that would bring former guard, Goran Dragic, back to Phoenix. Dragic's deal was negotiated to a four-year worth $34 million.
Most recently of the Houston Rockets, Dragic was originally picked by the Suns in the second round of the 2008 NBA Draft via a draft-day trade that sent forward Malik Hairston to the San Antonio Spurs.
Last season Dragic averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game, doing most of his damage after starting guard Kyle Lowry went down due to injury.
In addition to adding Beasley and Dragic, the Suns offered New Orleans shooting guard Eric Gordon a maximum $58 million over four years.
Some sources say New Orleans will match the offer for Gordon, while others say Gordon's public statements about preferring Phoenix to the Hornets potentially could lead to discussion on a sign-and-trade deal between the clubs.
