How Michael Beasley could be the best free agent for Blazers needs

The Portland Trail Blazers have been quiet in free agency so far. However, they reportedly expressed interest in veteran forward Michael Beasley.

Michael Beasley joins Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson as entertaining characters on the free agency market. Their unusual antics on and off the court have teams around the league wary, which could work well for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers haven’t expressed interest in Howard or Stephenson, but recent news came out of a potential push for Beasley. From Marc Berman of the New York Post, “According to sources, Portland, Atlanta and Milwaukee could have interest” in Beasley. His sources are anonymous.

Although we all want Portland to trade or sign someone that moves the needle, especially with the current free agent class, it likely won’t happen.

Instead, the organization should focus on finding cheap players to improve the roster’s depth. After drafting two guards, the Blazers could use an extra forward or two.

Michael Beasley

On the court

Michael Beasley played 74 total games for the New York Knicks in his tenth NBA season. He averaged 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks in 22.3 minutes per game. He shot 51% from the field, 40% from three and 78% from the line.

These numbers marked his best overall season since 2010-2011 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was also his healthiest season since 2012-2013.

What’s most valuable to Portland is his three-point shooting. Two rotation Blazers players shot better than Beasley from three last season: CJ McCollum and Maurice Harkless.

Although he made less than one per game, Portland’s offense might encourage more three-point shooting, especially if he comes off the bench.

At 6’10”, Beasley also adds height to an undersized Blazers lineup. Following the draft, the team now has up to six guards under 6’5″ and only three rotation players 6’10” or taller.

Al-Farouq Aminu and Harkless are still on contract for at least one more year, so Beasley would come off the bench. This creates a tall reserve lineup of him, Zach Collins and Ed Davis.

Both he and Collins space the floor (more three-point attempts), allowing the rookie guards to penetrate and Davis to get in position for offensive rebounds.

Additionally, Beasley is a proven shot creator for himself. Sometimes he does get carried away with bad shot attempts after consecutive makes, though.

But when Lillard and McCollum are both off the floor, Portland needs an offensive kickstart by its reserves. Anfernee Simons could be that player, but Beasley can help out as well with his strong midrange game.

Off the court

Michael Beasley is known for saying silly things to the media. Most recently, he said, “As far as talent-wise, I match up with Kevin [Durant], LeBron, I match up with the best guys in the world.”

Fans everywhere scoffed at Beasley’s apparent cockiness. But Kevin Durant, a former teammate of Beasley’s, supported it. (There may be some bias in here…plus KD says weird stuff too.)

“I was feeling him, because he is [just as talented],” said Durant. “He can score from anywhere. He can score on anybody.”

Other incidents, such as an arrest in 2013 on suspicion of marijuana possession, have put Beasley in a bad light around the league.

But he’s put these bigger problems behind him; it’s been a few years since any such incident. With Portland, an accepting locker room led by Mr. Nice Guy Damian Lillard can keep Beasley on the right track and harness his top-notch talent.

Salary

Last season, Michael Beasley earned $2.1 million with the New York Knicks. This was a veteran’s minimum contract designed to help New York fill out its 15-man roster.

The Blazers have very little money to spend this summer, especially if they re-sign Jusuf Nurkic and Ed Davis. The possibility of adding Beasley for under $3 million is a steal, plain and simple.

For the veteran forward, money doesn’t justify his level of play. He said, “Yeah, I want a lot of [money]. But I want to prove that I’m the best. The ball will tell you who the best players are, not the contracts, not the media.”

According to Marc Berman, Beasley’s free agent market consists of Portland, Atlanta and Milwaukee. The Hawks and Bucks have more money to offer, but he may not be a priority to them.

For the Blazers, few free agents can immediately contribute, and even fewer don’t push payroll over the luxury tax line. Making Beasley a priority could encourage him to take less money and sign with Portland.

Next: Why trade for Gary Trent Jr. doesn't make sense

The Portland Trail Blazers have an extremely small chance to acquiring any difference-making free agents. The only way a new roster comes about is if they trade CJ McCollum.

Signing Michael Beasley for under $3 million for one or two years therefore works well. He can immediately contribute with his size, three-point shooting and shot creation. Plus, he will stay focused on basketball under the leadership of Damian Lillard.