UPDATE: The Phoenix Suns have it made it official — Michael Beasley is a goner. Via the press release: “The Suns were devoted to Michael Beasley’s success in Phoenix,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “However, it is essential that we demand the highest standards of personal and professional conduct as we develop a championship culture. Today’s action reflects our commitment to those standards. The timing and nature of this, and all of our transactions, are based on the judgment of our Basketball leadership as to how best to achieve our singular goal of rebuilding an elite team.” […] “We have high standards for all of our players,” said Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough. “We expect them to represent the team and the community in a positive manner both on and off the court.”
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It had become a foregone conclusion this summer that Michael Beasley’s time in Phoenix had come to an end. According to ESPN, the Suns will likely part ways with the 24-year old forward this week: “After clearing waivers, Beasley will become a free agent after averaging a career-low 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds on 40.5 percent shooting in his lone season with Phoenix. He played two seasons each with Miami and Minnesota before signing a three-year deal with Phoenix worth $18 million in the summer of 2012. The Suns’ recent trade of Caron Butler to Milwaukee created nearly $6 million in salary-cap space that they can use to soften the financial hit stemming from Beasley’s departure. By waiting until after Sept. 1 to waive Beasley, Phoenix can pay out the $6 million owed to the 24-year-old forward in 2013-14 on the NBA’s standard pay schedule and then stretch the remaining $3 million guaranteed on Beasley’s deal in 2014-15 over multiple seasons.”
