PHOENIX SUNS

Miami Heat’s Michael Beasley looks forward, not back on his time with Phoenix Suns

Feb 11, 2014, 2:53 AM | Updated: 2:53 am

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The plan this season always included Michael Beasley.

With a new general manager and head coach coming on board, the Phoenix Suns were willing to give the young, talented forward a fresh start.

The team’s top free agent target in the 2012 offseason, Beasley was a disappointment a season ago both on the court — where he averaged 10.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 75 games — and off, where he twice ran into trouble with the law.

“He was the first one to admit that he did some things wrong last year in terms of not playing as a team and being selfish. He had told me that he’s trying to change that,” said head coach Jeff Hornacek, remembering their conversation from last summer.

The Kansas State product, who had signed a three-year, $18 million contract, was given a second chance.

But there would be no third chance.

In early August, he blew that second chance with the Suns.

Eight weeks before the start of training camp, eight weeks before Hornacek could see whether the plays he had drawn up for the then-24-year-old would work, Beasley was arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession after being stopped for a traffic violation in Scottsdale.

Strike three.

The Suns ended the relationship the following month, waiving the troubled forward on Sept. 3.

“I don’t think about how things went down or anything like that,” Beasley said Monday. “I’m in a great situation now. All I can do is look forward.”

Beasley now comes off the bench for the Miami Heat. He and the two-time defending champions are in town to play the Suns on Tuesday, marking the 25-year-old forward’s first return to the Valley.

“I don’t think about it. I don’t talk it. What happened, happened. That’s all it is,” he said on the Suns practice court. “Like I said, I’m in a great situation — around some great guys, just getting better every day.”

So, are there regrets with how things ended after just one season in Phoenix?

“Um, no, no, no,” he said. “Like I said, I’m in a perfect situation to better myself as a person, better myself as a basketball player and to win a ring in the process.”

The Heat made Beasley the No. 2 overall pick in 2008, so it was easy — relatively — to welcome him back, as the team signed him to a non-guaranteed deal.

“For us, it was all a matter of bringing somebody back into our family. We drafted him. It’s always different when you draft somebody,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We felt the connection with Michael.

“He’s ready to help us when his number is called.”

Beasley is averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 15.4 minutes in 34 appearances, though he has not played the past two contests.

“Any chance you get to be around a group of guys of this stature, guys that played in this league at the highest level for years upon years, it’s definitely great. It’s definitely a blessing,” he said. “I’m just taking it in, learning from everybody and just trying to get better.”

Hornacek added some positive remarks on how all parties have moved on since Beasley was waived.

“He’s done a nice job for Miami. It was just a situation that happened here…that it was probably best for all parties to just part ways.

“I’m glad that he is doing well there.”

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

18 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

22 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Miami Heat’s Michael Beasley looks forward, not back on his time with Phoenix Suns