A recent report emerged about the league's decision to hand out a suspension to veteran forward Micheal Beasley for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.
League insider Shams Charania has provided an update on this story, as he now reports that Beasley's failed drug test happened during one of the lowest points in the former second overall pick's life. According to Shams, Beasley tested positive for an illegal substance while he was on leave with the Los Angeles Lakers last season to be with his sick mother.
Source: Michael Beasley’s failed drug test was not recent — it was from October/November 2018 during sabbatical with the Lakers, when his mom was dying with cancer. https://t.co/CeurHy73mj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 9, 2019
This is indeed pretty sad news, and perhaps offers a bit of an explanation on why Beasley decided to turn to drugs during these trying times. Nevertheless, this is still no excuse for the 30-year-old, and we simply cannot condone such violations, regardless of the circumstance.
As it stands, there have also been reports of Beasley heading back to China for the upcoming season, and maybe this decision was influenced by the penalty bestowed upon him by the league. Then again, it wasn't as if teams were running to sign Beasley, who has been an unrestricted free agent since he was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers in February.
Last summer, Beasley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would play for 26 games, averaging 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in just 10.7 minutes off the L.A. bench. He was then shipped off across town to the Clippers along with Ivica Zubac in exchange for Mike Muscala.
While Beasley seems to have a bit more left in the tank, off court issues appear to be a major hindrance in him continuing his career in the association. It would not come as a complete shock if it turns out that we had actually seen the last of the journeyman in the NBA.
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