Free Agent-to-Be Michael Beasley Hopes to Return to Timberwolves Next Season

Michael Beasley will be a restricted free agent this summer, but the forward has every intention of sticking around Minnesota. Per the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Beasley is a restricted free agent after the season, and the Wolves have yet to decide if they will offer him an extension or pick up the $8.172 million he is due in the final year of his contract, in 2012-13. ‘I would love to come back and be a Timberwolf,’ Beasley said. ‘I love it here. I can genuinely say that from the bottom of my heart….From my teammates, to the city, the coaches, the staff. Everybody is so welcoming here. I’m just going to let the situation play out.’ Beasley appeared to be upset after the Wolves’ 113-107 loss at Denver on Wednesday night. He played only nine minutes, 56 seconds, and sat out the entire second half when the Wolves’ reserves, led by Anthony Randolph (28 points), battled back from a 24-point deficit and were in position to win. Beasley went scoreless and had no rebounds but was not critical of Wolves coach Rick Adelman. ‘One thing I’ve learned about being in this league a couple of years is that your minutes are not decided by you,’ Beasley said. ‘The coach plays who he feels comfortable with. Those guys made a run last night (Wednesday), and they kept the run going. He went with the chemistry and the flow of the game.’ Beasley, nearing the end of his third season in the league, had been starting for the Wolves until a foot injury in January cost him 11 games and led Adelman to bring him off the bench. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes Thursday.”