With tremendous anticipation, Michael Beasley made his NBA debut in 2008, but he was never able to live up to the high expectations that had been set for him. The 34-year-old hasn’t participated in an NBA game in more over four years; his last appearance came in February 2019 for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers.
Beasley last appeared in an NBA setting in the 2021 Summer League when playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, and he is baffled as to why he isn’t playing right now. He told The Boston Globe : “If I had to answer that question [why I’m not in the league], I would have solved it a long time ago,” “But I don’t know. For me, it’s just staying in shape and being ready if it comes.”
Beasley is maintaining his readiness by competing in the BIG3 League, where this season, for 3s Company, he has averaging 20.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. But it’s improbable that he’ll get the call from the NBA.
Beasley’s predicament is comparable to what Carmelo Anthony experienced. They both have the ability to score, but teams cannot ignore their defensive shortcomings. Even though Melo was a better player than Beasley, he was passed over after the 2021–22 season. Beasley’s NBA career is probably coming to an end, and if it does, he will have averaged 12.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game.
LeBron James used to always lose against Michael Beasley in one-on-one games during practise
Beasley will be remembered as one of the NBA’s numerous what-ifs. He was an offensive player with exceptional potential but, in part because of different off-court concerns, never really settled in the league.
The Miami Heat selected Beasley with the second selection in the 2008 NBA Draught in the hopes that he and Dwyane Wade would go on to form one of the league’s greatest teams. Beasley was moved in 2010, but that never materialized. In 2013, he returned to the Heat and was given the opportunity to play alongside LeBron James. A team reporter once revealed that Beasley consistently defeated LeBron in 1-on-1 games, demonstrating the enormous offensive prowess that Beasley possessed during practice sessions with James. One only wonders how his career may have developed differently.