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Knicks, Michael Beasley Nearing Deal

The former second overall pick will soon be Big Apple bound.

Matt Spendley
Aug 8, 2017 · 3 min read
Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Knicks are reportedly close to bringing in nine year veteran Michael Beasley on a veteran’s minimum deal. Beasley last appeared for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 56 games last season. He missed time with elbow, foot, and knee injuries, the latest setbacks in an tumultuous career for the 28-year-old. Beasley has missed plenty of games for a variety of reasons during his career. When he’s played, he has poured in 12.6 points and nabbed 4.7 rebounds per game for Miami, Minnesota, Phoenix, Houston, and Milwaukee.

After an incredible freshman campaign for the Kansas State Wildcats, one in which he averaged 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game, Beasley opted to hop to the NBA, and was selected with the second overall pick by the Miami Heat (take a look back at that draft, quite the shakeout). After being caught indulging in the devil’s lettuce during rookie camp, he was kicked out, but ended up having a decent enough rookie season. However, he checked into rehab during that summer, the second incident with marijuana he had in a brief time. The list of his transgressions goes on, but let’s just say he has had his fair share of run-ins with the law when it comes to drug possession.

Recently, however, Beasley has cleaned up his act in an attempt to resurrect his NBA career. He shot the rock at a 53.2 percent clip this past year, an impressive increase for a career 45.8 percent shooter. Concentrating more of his attempts in the paint led to the boost, and considering he has traditionally been nothing special from deep, it was a good move. He had some moments for the Bucks this year, and most Milwaukee fans were happy with his production. Zach Lowe tweeted this about Beasley in November:

…and then included him in his annual Luke Walton All-Stars column as a co-captain. There is no doubt that new hire Craig Robinson played a role in this signing, as he applauded Beasley for being willing to open himself up just a few months ago:

via espn.com

With veterans like Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah in the fold, the Knicks certainly won’t be devoid of veteran leadership. However, it’s great to see a player with a tattered past pull his life together and make an impact well beyond the time most thought he would. Whether Carmelo Anthony is in town once the season begins will be a huge factor in determining Beasley’s court presence this year.

The fact that Michael Beasley’s legendary season as a Wildcat was ten years ago and that he’s about to play in his tenth NBA season is making me feel disgustingly old.

Welcome to New York, Michael.

Matt Spendley, associate editor

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Matt Spendley

Written by

Associate Editor at The Knicks Wall. Also Giants, Rangers, Yankees.

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