NBA Rumors: Pistons End Up With Top Two Picks From 2008 Draft

Despite being meted a five-game suspension, it looks like Michael Beasley will still be around when the 2019-20 NBA season starts. He has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons, technically meaning that the 30-year-old forward is no longer headed to the Chinese Basketball Association.

League sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic that Beasley has agreed to the play for the Pistons this coming NBA season. It was not mentioned how much the second overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft would get although it is likely to be a veteran's minimum. As mentioned in a previous post, the 6-foot-9 forward would reportedly be getting a $5-million one-year deal.

Once made official, the Pistons will have to wait until the five-game suspension has been served by Beasley. The NBA handed the former Kansas State player with the punishment for violating the league's anti-drug policy. Ironically, the Pistons will now boast of the first and second overall picks of the 2008 NBA Draft. Looking at their careers, however, Rose and Beasley have had different career arcs.

This coming season, it will be interesting if Beasley can get extensive minutes under the watch of head coach Dwane Casey. While he has shown that he can do a lot of damage on offense, there are certain departments of his game that have been singled out. That includes his defensive awareness as well as his ability to pass the ball. His decision-making on the basketball court will be critical if wants to play a vital part for the Pistons this coming season.

Beasley suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers last season but was hardly a factor. He averaged 7.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.7 minutes per game in 26 games before he was eventually traded to the Clippers together with Ivica Zubac for Mike Muscala. He was unsurprisingly waived by the Clips and has since been waiting for a call from NBA teams.

The Pistons are looking to improve their 41-41 record last NBA season. The only notable move they made this summer was bringing in Markieff Morris. Though Beasley can play small or power forward, he is likely to come off the bench behind Morris and Tony Snell.