The two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat might be interested in bringing troubled forward Michael Beasley back to South Beach, according to Yahoo Sports.
The website reports several key veteran Heat players are convinced they can steer Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 draft behind Derrick Rose, in the right direction. As a testament to his talent, since being dropped by the Phoenix Suns, Beasley has already attracted at least some interest from such marquee franchises as the Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Suns reached a buyout with Beasley after he was arrested on suspicion of marijuana charges earlier this summer. The incident marked the third time in Beasley's year-long tenure with that 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.
According to ProBasketballTalk, with a veteran roster that includes LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen, Heat officials seem convinced Beasley might finally have the kind of locker room leadership around him needed to turn the corner in terms of maturity.
The 24-year-old Beasley spent his first two seasons in Miami, where he averaged averaging 14.1 points in less than 30 minutes a game.After being traded to Minnesota, Beasley averaged a career-best 19.2 points for the T'wolves in 2010-11. He struggled in the first season of a three-year deal with the Suns, shooting 40.5 percent and averaging 10.1 points.
The Lakers are also said to be enamored by Beasley's skill set, particularly when incorporated into coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo, high octane offense.
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