Michael Beasley is entering the final fully guaranteed year of his contract, and he's in danger of seeing his NBA career come to an early end, as Jeff Caplan of NBA.com examines.
Caplan spoke with 33-year-old Suns GM Ryan McDonough about the their rebuilding efforts designed to add hardworking athletes who can run their up-tempo offense, led by their newest addition in the back-court, Eric Bledsoe.
But when asked if the 24-year-old Beasley–who averaged career lows across-the-board last season in Phoenix–would be a part of the Suns' rebuilding efforts, McDonough's message was loud and clear for the maladroit former No. 2 overall pick:
"I guess what I’ll say generally about that is we’re going to treat everybody the same,” McDonough explained.
“There won’t be any special treatment for anybody on the roster and as Jeff [Hornacek] and I told all the guys coming in, we don’t care how much money you’re making, where you were drafted, how long you’ve been in the league, what, if anything, you’ve been promised in the past. We’re going into this as an open competition, and when training camp comes, guys who buy in and play the right way and play hard will play, and those who don’t, won’t.”
Beasley signed a three-year $18MM contract with the Suns in July of 2012, but the 2014-15 season is only guaranteed for $3MM. According to Mark Deeks at ShamSports.com, the final year becomes fully guaranteed for $6.25MM if the Suns don't waive him on, or before, 5 p.m. Mountain Time on the second day after the team's final gaeme of the 2013-14 season, including playoffs, or June 15th.
Here's what else is happening around the Western Conference on Saturday night…
- Mike Krzyzewski's decision to remain as coach of Team USA has swayed Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who tells Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com that he's leaning toward playing in the 2016 Olympics.
- Mike Miller is set to sign his deal with the Grizzlies on Tuesday, reports Ron Higgins of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
- James Harden reflects on the growing spotlight with his Rockets team while he’s in the Philippines, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
- Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News on the battle for Los Angeles when Dwight Howard returns to LA with the Rockets to go against some of his former Lakers teammates on November 7th next season.