Michael Beasley is close to signing with the New York Knicks on a one-year deal.
The New York Knicks are close to signing forward Michael Beasley on a one-year deal, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Iniders. He is expected to sign later today.
Beasley spent last season with Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He missed part of last season after hyper-extending his knee. The injury looked much worse, however.
Since taken No. 2 overall by the Miami Heat in the 2008 NBA Draft, Beasley has gone through quite the journey. He showed promise in Miami, but was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010 to make room for Lebron James and Chris Bosh.
His best statistical season came in the 2010-11 season with Minnesota. Beasley averaged 19.2 and 5.6 rebounds per game, shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from the 3-point line. After two seasons in Minnesota, he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Phoenix Suns.
Things went downhill from there. The Suns waived him in September 2013 after he was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession. He bounced back and forth between the Miami Heat and China the next two seasons, before signing for Houston in 2015, and finally Milwaukee last season.
From a basketball standpoint, Beasley is a solid role player. He only appeared in 56 games, but shot a career high 41.9 percent from 3 last season, and 53.2 percent from the field. Prior to the injury, he was having a solid month statistically in February, starting in five games and posting a plus/minus of +6.5.
But fit is important. Beasley tends play better in stable environments, and the Knicks aren’t offering that. Firing Phil Jackson likely smoothed things over with Kristaps Porzingis, but uncertainty remains over Carmelo Anthony’s future. And given the team’s lack of depth, Beasley may be asked to play in too big a role.
The exact details of the contract are unknown at this point. However, ESPN’s Ian Begley expects it to be for the league minimum:
At league minimum, the financial risk is low. If Beasley continues to shoot well, he can work in New York. He is able to play both forward spots, so he should receive a good amount of playing time. But with the Knicks, nothing is certain.