Malik Beasley suspended 12 games by NBA for charges during offseason

Minnesota Timberwolves G Malik Beasley will be suspended 12 games due to conduct stemming from charges during the offseason. Beasley plead guilty back in September to charges of threats of violence. He was convicted and sentenced to 120 days in jail, that was expected to be served after the 2020-21 NBA season. Beasley will also have to miss about three weeks of this season as punishment from the League. Here is a statement from Beasley put out on his social channels:

“I will take this time to reflect on my decisions. I apologize to all the great fans out there who have supported me during this difficult time and I promise I will come back very soon as a better person and player.”

Here’s the full statement from the NBA on the 12-game suspension:

With the suspension starting this Saturday vs. the Washington Wizards, Beasley won’t be eligible to return to the T-Wolves until Saturday, March 27 against the Houston Rockets — essentially an entire month off with the All-Star break. That will leave the Timberwolves very thin in the backcourt with D’Angelo Russell currently recovering from knee surgery. He could be back before Beasley but Minnesota doesn’t have much incentive to rush D’Lo back.

With Beasley out, this could be the time for the T-Wolves to truly feature rookie guard Anthony Edwards. Beasley had been leading the team in scoring at 20.5 points per game, really having a breakout season. He was going to be in the conversation for Most Improved Player but those dreams are likely shattered with this suspensions news. Edwards should be more involved on offense as the go-to scorer on the perimeter.