Six years ago, Greg Oden became the 2007 NBA Draft’s No. 1 overall pick. Injuries stalled his career while the No.2 pick in that draft, Kevin Durant, has since become a three-time scoring champ. One year later, Michael Beasley nearly became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Instead, he fell to the Miami Heat at No. 2. After his second season, Beasley was traded to Minnesota for the Heat to create salary cap space for Chris Bosh and LeBron James. However, his star dimmed further after a he averaged a career-high 19 points a game during his third season in Minnesota. Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in that draft was named the youngest MVP in league history in 2012.
Last month, the Phoenix Suns waived him following a summer highlighted by his arrest on suspicion of marijuana possession and a separate investigation into a sexual assault accusation. Naturally, the Miami Heat have decided to pair Beasley and Oden up as teammates next season. On Wednesday, Pat Riley invited Beasley to mini-camp on a non-guaranteed contract for the 2013 season citing his previous success with the Heat.
Via SI.com:
“Michael had the best years of his career with us,” Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement. “We feel that he can help.”
Neither Rose nor Durant have had a championship ring fitted for their fingers yet. How mint would it be if Oden and Beasley get to taste championship confetti and career redemption before the two players they are inextricably linked with first?
