Michael Beasley Auditioning For NBA Return, Teams That Could Consider Him
Michael Beasley is at it again, trying to get the attention of some NBA team. The 31-year-old last played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2018-9 season before getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He would eventually be waived, and the second-overall pick of the 2008 Draft found himself heading back to China, where he played for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Other than that, little has been known on his whereabouts. That was until recently when the 6-foot-9 cager posted some videos on Instagram. Beasley showed he still had the shooting touch, something that most felt was a kind of audition for teams to consider him. With the NBA bubble games set to start next month and several players wary of playing, there is a chance that the former CBA champion could ink a deal with an NBA team. The only question now is which team.
Though he has shown the ability to score, Beasley has been criticized for lacking the ability to play team ball and help out in other departments. Looking at his career averages, Beasley has played 609 games averaging 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He has his best year with the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2010-11 NBA season, averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 32.3 minutes of action. He has since struggled to maintain those numbers, relegating him to a bench role at times.
With 16 players testing positive for COVID-19, Beasley could get a chance to join one of the 22 NBA teams set to see action next month. Other than that, some players have opted to sit out the season. One of them includes the Los Angeles Lakers, which will play on without Avery Bradley. J.R. Smith has been mentioned as a potential replacement, but Beasley could also make the grade. The only advantage Smith has is that he already worked out for Los Angeles in March.
If not the Lakers, another team that finds itself in need of players in Sacramento. Jabari Parker and Alex Len went public recently, revealing they tested positive for COVID-19. However, both are confident they can return by next month. But both would have to undergo a process before they would be cleared to play NBA ball.
Between the Lakers and the Kings, Beasley may prefer to rejoin his former team if head coach Frank Vogel would approve. The Kings have an uphill climb while the Lakers are in a much better position to play more than the set eight games. For him to be successful, he needs to show the Lakers he is in shape and can fit in with the Lakers' needs.