Michael Beasley entered the NBA with high expectations after a standout college career at Kansas State University. Selected as the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, Beasley was anticipated to bring his scoring prowess and rebounding skills to the professional level. His rookie season with the Heat saw him averaging 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, showcasing his potential as a forward in the league.
In his second season with Miami, Beasley improved his statistics, averaging 14.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. However, his time with the Heat was relatively short-lived. In 2010, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he had one of his best seasons. During the 2010-2011 season, Beasley averaged a career-high 19.2 points per game, demonstrating his ability to be a primary scoring option.
Despite his scoring ability, Beasley's career was marked by inconsistency and off-court issues. After two seasons with the Timberwolves, he signed with the Phoenix Suns in 2012. His stint with the Suns was less productive, and he was waived by the team in 2013 following legal troubles.
Beasley returned to the Miami Heat for the 2013-2014 season, where he played a supporting role on a team led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. His contributions helped the Heat reach the NBA Finals, although they ultimately lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2014, Beasley briefly joined the Memphis Grizzlies but was waived before the season began. He then took his talents overseas, signing with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). His time in China allowed him to refine his game and regain confidence, leading to a return to the NBA with the Miami Heat in 2015.
Beasley's third stint with the Heat was short, and he soon found himself back in the CBA, this time with the Shandong Golden Stars. His performances in China were impressive, and he was named the CBA Foreign MVP in 2016. This success overseas led to another NBA opportunity, this time with the Houston Rockets in 2016.
After a brief period with the Rockets, Beasley signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2016-2017 season. He played a valuable role off the bench, providing scoring and energy. The following season, he joined the New York Knicks, where he averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, showing flashes of his scoring ability.
In 2018, Beasley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a roster that included LeBron James. However, his time with the Lakers was marred by personal challenges, and he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2019. The Clippers waived him shortly after the trade, and Beasley once again found himself without an NBA team.
Throughout his career, Beasley was known for his scoring talent and ability to contribute offensively.
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