NBA Free Agency Rumors: Miami Heat have moved on from Michael Beasley
By Sam Richmond
The Miami Heat gave Michael Beasley a second chance last offseason, signing him to a veteran’s-minimum contract. It doesn’t appear as if Pat Riley and Co. will be giving the player they selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft a third chance.
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Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel breaks down why that’s the case:
"So how did it get to this point, with Beasley little more than an offseason afterthought, even with the departures of James, Shane Battier, James Jones and the attempted departure of Rashard Lewis?A party familiar with the situation insists there was no “flashpoint” last season, no incident yet to surface, no off-court or locker-room episode that doomed the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.Instead, there was a mention of maturity, how there was an upgrade in that aspect over Beasley’s first two seasons with the team, but perhaps not enough to earn renewed trust for a season when every game has to matter. As this week’s Sports Illustrated puts it, “Beasley remains an All-Star talent with D-League reliability.”"
Although Beasley displayed better maturity last year, it’s certainly understandable why the Heat want to move on.
Beasley was unable to remain in Miami’s rotation for the entire season, likely in part because he couldn’t hang on the defensive end. Also, the Heat signed forward Shawne Williams this offseason, so Miami really doesn’t have much of a need for Beasley.
Beasley will be on somebody’s roster next season — he’s too talented offensively not to be — but it won’t be with the Heat.