Minnesota Timberwolves send Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph into free agency – NBA News
The Minnesota Timberwolves have declined to make qualifying offers to two of their players - Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph - making them unrestricted free agents.
Both Beasley and Randolph played for the Timberwolves this past season, but both are now free agents and will be looking for a new home in the coming weeks.
Michael Beasley was the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft of 2008. He was a great prospect at Kansas State where he played his college basketball and earned the right to be picked as the 2nd best college player
in the draft. He played for Miami Heat initially but landed in Minnesota in July 12th 2010 in an attempt by the Miami Heat to make room for LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
Beasley known for his injuries and off court issues, had an $8.1 million qualifying offer this year, but the Wolves refused to go for it. He played exceptionally well in the first two months of the 2010-2011 regular season, his
first season with the Wolves, averaging almost 23 points a game. But Beasley then suffered from ankle injuries that slowed him down and affected his performance.
Last year was the same for Beasley where he kept suffering from injuries and finished with a career low average of 11.5 points per game.
"This year, I don't know why, but his offensive game wasn't there at the start but I at least thought he was trying defensively and just applying himself with more rigor than he had the year before with the previous staff. And
I was at least hopeful that maybe there is something here, and he got hurt again, and again,” said Wolves President David Kahn in April.
Beasley is only 23 years old and possesses a great deal of talent and athleticism. He will get offers in free agency, but it is unlikely they will be close to the $8.1 million offer he had with the Wolves before they decided to
forego it.
Anthony Randolph was the 14th pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, and was picked up by the Golden State Warriors. He played limited minutes for the Wolves last season and averaged 7.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He is
also a player who had impressed people with his athleticism in his earlier years and there still might be a place for him in the Wolves roster if he decides to take a pay cut. The Wolves declined the $4 million qualifying offer that could have seen him with
the team for next season so the new contract would have to be lower than that.
Both players have had an unfortunate turn of events in the NBA. However, both are young and the road is still open for them. They are bound to receive offers from other teams and if they work hard while accepting a supportive role
in a new team, they might be able to peak again in the NBA.
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