NBA Rumors: Former Top Pick Likely Headed Back To Chinese Basketball Association

Michael Beasley could be headed back to the Chinese Basketball Association with no takers so far in NBA free agency. And following reports of the 30-year-old being meted a five-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy, the chances of him returning to the CBA have all the more increased and something that may yet be the best option for the 6-foot-9 forward.

League sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic that the second overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft has been suspended for five games by the NBA for violating the anti-drug policy. Seeing how he has no team right now, this could further push him at the back of the line of free agents hoping to see action this 2019-20 NBA season. But for those who have kept track of Beasley, it could also be a blessing since he is a familiar name in the CBA.

Beasley was part of that trade last February when the Los Angeles Lakers sent him and Ivica Zubac to the Los Angeles Clippers for Mike Muscala, NBA.com reported. And as most suspected, the 6-foot-9 forward would be waived by the Clips. He took his act to the CBA, joining the Guangdong Southern Tigers in time for the CBA finals. Now it looks like his journey in the Chinese league will continue.

The former product of Kansas State first joined the CBA back in 2014 with the Shanghai Sharks. Among the highlights of that trip was dropping 59 points in the CBA All-Star game. He had impressive numbers but failed to lead the Sharks to the playoffs.

His second stint came in 2015 with the Shandong Golden Tigers. He again shone during the All-Star game and became the first foreigner to win the MVP award. He was signed to a short contract by the Miami Heat but the score-first forward never really got it going. Beasley has since bounced from one team to another and it appears his NBA luck will not change at least for now.

According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, sources say that Beasley has a standing offer in China worth $5 million. Seeing how this could be better financially, the two-time CBA All-Star MVP may best continue his play in China which could see more players headed there. Just recently, Lance Stephenson agreed to a deal with the Liaoning Flying Leopards. Jeremy Lin could be considering that too with plenty of forgotten names still in waiting in the NBA free-agent market.