High and Dry in Phoenix: Suns Release Beasley
The Phoenix Suns have officially released notorious forward Michael Beasley. After a mutual agreement to terminate the contract, the franchise is finally letting go of a player involved in many controversial acts and in the process, saved money to help their salary cap situation.
“The Suns were devoted to Michael Beasley’s success in Phoenix. However, it is essential that we demand the highest standards of personal and professional conduct as we develop a championship culture,” the president of Basketball Operations, Lob Babby, said in the team’s official Web site.
“We have high standards for all of our players. We expect them to represent the team and the community in a positive manner both on and off the court,” added Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough.
Beasley was signed by Phoenix as a free agent in 2012 and gave him a three-year contract worth roughly $18M. By releasing him, the Suns will save about $2M which means that there will be a reduced hit on the team’s salary cap.
Beasley suited up for three different teams, the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Suns in his five-year NBA career
In August 2013, Beasley was arrested in Arizona for charges of felony marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
With the Timberwolves in 2011, he was ticketed in Minneapolis for marijuana possession and speeding.
While with the Heat, the team that drafted him in 2008, he admitted that he twice violated the NBA’s drug policy and was admitted to drug treatment facility in 2009.
Beasley’s best year was in Minnesota when he averaged 19.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 73 games in the 2010-2011 season. However, he hit career lows of 10.1 PPG and 3.8 PPG in his first year with Phoenix.