Speculation is growing the Phoenix Suns will soon move to waive veteran forward Michael Beasley following his drug related suspension in Arizona earlier this month.
According to reports, Scottsdale police took Beasley into custody late this week on possession of marijuana charges, marking the third time in the 24-year-old’s short tenure with the team that he has found himself on the wrong side of the law.
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.
With that, just as was the case with the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves before, Beasley again seems to have worn out his welcome.
“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 late last week. “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.”
The No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft behind Derrick Rose, 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 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 41 percent.
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