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Portland Trail Blazers: Michael Beasley will play on Summer League team

Dave Nelson|
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Michael Beasley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Michael Beasley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on February 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that NBA veteran forward Michael Beasley has agreed to play with the Portland Trail Blazers at Las Vegas Summer League.

The 32-year-old Beasley has played for seven different NBA franchises, including three with the Miami Heat, since being drafted number two overall by Miami in the 2008 draft. He also played for teams in the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association). The last NBA team he played for was the Lakers in 2018-2019.

In his 11 years of playing NBA Basketball, Beasley has averages of, 12.4 PPG, and 4.7 RPG. His best season with Miami in 2010-2011 averaging 19.2 points.

Beasley has not earned any awards or honors while playing in the NBA, but was the CBA Foreign MVP (2016), two-time CBA All-Star and CBA All-Star Game MVP in 2015-2016. He was a member of the Guangdong Southern Tigers championship team in 2019.

So why is he signing a summer league contract with the Blazers? He is likely trying to make an attempt at an NBA comeback and feels that playing in the Las Vegas Summer League shows he’s willing to do anything, including, playing with rookies and other players trying to catch on with an NBA team, proving he still belongs in the league.

Maybe the Blazers will offer him an invitation to training camp if he plays well in the summer league games, and earn a spot on the 15 player roster. The team has few free agents at Beasley’s position, who may or may not return. Especially now with, Zach Collins out indefinitely with another foot injury and quite likely, won’t be resigned by Portland. Perhaps also, they’re looking at adding more size and strength to the power forward position where Beasley plays.

Summer League action will take place, August 8-17 at UNLV. Each of the 30 teams will play five games. Besides Beasley, it is not yet known who else will be on Portland’s Vegas Summer League roster.