The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft just a few days. That didn’t stop them from re-signing their restricted free agent shooting guard, Malik Beasley.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Beasley agreed to a four-year $60 million contract to return to the Timberwolves. The off-court legal matter he has dealt with didn’t appear to cause any sort of impact on the compensation he received in free agency.
It’s difficult to justify the Timberwolves spending such a substantial amount on a player who plays the same position as the prospect just taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Unless if one of those players can slot in effectively at the three spot, that doesn’t seem like a favorable situation.
It’s worth noting, if the Timberwolves were willing to outright pay Beasley $60 million over four seasons, it’s difficult to envision them not matching an offer sheet with a different NBA franchise. If that’s the case, then this is a more justifiable choice.
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The Denver Nuggets traded Malik Beasley ahead of February’s deadline due to their inability to retain him long-term. The Timberwolves must have seen enough in the 14 games he played with them to feel comfortable handing out a $60 million contract.
During the 14 appearances Malik Beasley made with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he managed to average 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. He showed intriguing potential as a scorer— something he didn’t receive much opportunity to do with the Denver Nuggets.
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