Michael Beasley is heading back to China for the third time.
Beasley is finalizing a deal with Guangdong of the Chinese Basketball Association, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted. The tweet also stated it will be a short run of two months for Beasley with significant cash. The Chinese basketball season ends in mid-May.
Beasley, 30, has played for seven NBA teams in 11 seasons — including the Knicks — since the Heat drafted the forward No. 2 overall in 2008. The veteran forward, who signed a one-year deal with the Lakers last offseason, was traded to the Clippers alongside center Ivica Zubac in exchange for center Mike Muscala before the Feb. 7 NBA trade deadline. But Beasley never played a game for the Clippers.
Beasley was one of the Knicks’ bright spots during an ugly 2017-2018 season. The self-proclaimed “Walking Bucket” averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. He shot 50.7 percent from the field — 39.5 from 3-point range.
The quirky veteran, who had a wardrobe malfunction during a game with the Lakers earlier this season, also has had success in China.
After being waived by the Grizzlies, he played with the Shanghai Sharks in 2014-15, where he was named the MVP of the All-Star Game after scoring 59 points.
When his third stint with the Heat ended, Beasley joined the Shandong Golden Stars in 2015-16. In 40 games for Shandong, Beasley averaged 31.9 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. That season, he was named the International MVP of the League.