Less than a month after his arrest on drug related charges, the Phoenix Suns will release troubled forward Michael Beasley sometime this week, according to ESPN.
Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft behind one-time league MVP Derrick Rose, will thus become a free agent after clearing waivers, rendering him free to strike a deal with any team willing to take yet another chance on him.
According to ESPN, the Suns grew disenchanted with the 24-year forward after he was arrested in early August on suspicion of marijuana charges. The incident marks the third time in Beasley's year-long tenure with the team that he has been involved in a police related matter.
In late January, he was cited for multiple driving violations, including driving 70 mph in a 45-mph zone. Beasley was also found to be traveling with a loaded revolver and the Mercedes he was driving did not have a license plate.
Just last May, he was implicated in a sexual assault case but was never charged. News reports indicate that case remains open.
In the most recent incident, Beasley was taken into custody after police stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation and smelled marijuana emanating from the car. A search of the vehicle, which was later impounded, allegedly turned up marijuana in the driver's area.
"The Phoenix Suns have until Aug. 31to release Michael Beasley, and it won't take that long," John Gambadoro wrote in an ArizonaSports.com piece shortly after his arrest. "Make no mistake about it; he will never play for the Suns again. "Unfortunately for the Suns, the rules in the NBA make sure that Beasley will get paid the $9 million left on his contract."
Beasley was also fined $50,000 for his role in a marijuana-related incident at the Rookie Transition Program. He also spent time in a substance abuse treatment center in 2009, just before the Miami Heat dealt him to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns signed Beasley to a three-year, $18 million deal last summer, but the final year of the deal is only partially guaranteed. In his first season, he averaged a career-low 10.1 points to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 41 percent.
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