1:50pm: Beasley has essentially acknowledged the deal, posting a Shandong logo on his Instagram account (hat tip to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel).
11:57am: Michael Beasley has signed a contract with Shandong of the Chinese Basketball Association, as the Chinese outlet Hupu reports (translation via HoopsHype), and as international journalist David Pick confirms (Twitter link). The deal will pay the former No. 2 overall pick $600K this season, a source tells Pick. It’s a return to China for Beasley, who averaged 28.7 points in 38.1 minutes per game across 37 appearances for Shanghai Dongfang last season. Those numbers don’t include the 59-point performance Beasley put on during the CBA All-Star Game in January.
The 26-year-old Beasley returned to the NBA later in the season, signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the Heat, who ultimately inked him to a multiyear deal for the minimum salary. That deal included a team option, but Miami declined it in June, and little chatter about another NBA deal followed this summer, as Beasley’s rumors page shows.
That’s seemingly in contrast to a year ago, when Beasley joined the Grizzlies for training camp only to ask for his release midway through the preseason so he could take the offer from Shanghai Dongfang. He’ll have a chance to once more circle back to the NBA if interest exists at the conclusion of his latest Chinese commitment, which could happen as early as February if Shandong doesn’t make the playoffs.
Do you think Michael Beasley will play in the NBA later this season? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.
Who cares?
Yes he will. At some point he’ll figure it out and sick. Dudes still young
No defense, selfish with the ball, takes bad shots……pretty much still riding the wave of his college career numbers. The Suns couldn’t get rid of him quick enough
He seemed like a totally different player and person when he came back from China last season. Decision making was clearly improved, and he gave the Heat some big minutes at the 5, and played surprisingly good defense at times.
At 26, he probably has more chances left, but at this point it’s hard to imagine him ever becoming a productive NBA player.
i would love to see beas back in a miami uniform again i just dont thiink the coach use him properly i know he is a very good NBA player