Michael Beasley returns to Miami Heat

Author: Associated Press
Published:
MGN Online

MIAMI (AP) – Looking for help for the stretch run, the Miami Heat turned to a familiar face.

Michael Beasley is with the Heat for a third time, signing a 10-day contract on Thursday with the team that drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick seven years ago.

Beasley’s addition comes less than a week after the Heat learned they would lose All-Star forward Chris Bosh for the remainder of the season because of blood clots on a lung. Miami (25-31) entered Thursday in the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Beasley spent this season in China, putting up monster numbers including a 59-point performance in his league’s All-Star game. He has been working out in Miami for several days, even practicing in the team facility – a courtesy that the team extended to him, and a sign that yet another Beasley reunion could be looming.

And now it’s official, with Beasley wearing a team T-shirt as he signed his contract on Thursday. He is in New Orleans and expected to be available when the Heat visit the Pelicans on Friday night.

Beasley spent his first two seasons in Miami, then was traded to Minnesota in the summer of 2010 as one in the series of moves that ultimately allowed the Heat to bring Bosh and LeBron James in to play alongside Dwyane Wade.

Beasley has been a proven scorer, and that’s something that Miami needs. The Heat rank 28th in scoring in the NBA this season, though their offensive pace has picked up since acquiring point guard Goran Dragic from Phoenix last week.

Beasley and Dragic were teammates in Phoenix two seasons ago.

Beasley averaged 19.2 points in his first Minnesota season, then declined in his second year there and eventually ended up in Phoenix. He and the Suns parted ways after 75 games and the Heat brought him back last season.

Beasley appeared in 55 games for Miami in the 2013-14 season, averaging 7.9 points. He made four more appearances in the playoffs.

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