There’s an update on Malik Beasley’s legal situation. Plus, Minnesota Timberwolves executive VP Sachin Gupta talked about the draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are about to embark on a truncated offseason that carries huge weight for the future of the franchise nonetheless.
There are a couple of major decisions to make. First, there’s the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Then, there is free agency, with Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez both hitting the restricted market. Beasley was arrested a few weeks ago, and now we’re finding out that he is being formally charged, only complicating his upcoming free agency.
Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Malik Beasley charged
News broke on Thursday that Malik Beasley is being formally charged with two crimes.
Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley is being charged with fifth-degree drug possession and threat of violence following a September 27 arrest at his Plymouth, Minnesota, residence, @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium learned.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 29, 2020
Joint statement from his attorneys, Steve Haney and Ryan Pacyga: pic.twitter.com/Ia58ihWosv
There is more information on the incident if you choose to go find it, including press release from the district attorney’s office. As of now, Beasley’s court date is set for late November, which is likely right around the time of this year’s NBA free agency period.
It’s unclear what this does to his value on the free agent market. If he ultimately does not end up facing jail time, it likely wouldn’t preclude him from being signed, although it could suppress the value of his next contract somewhat.
Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Sachin Gupta on the draft
Timberwolves Executive Vice President Sachin Gupta spoke to reporters this week and talked up the No. 1 pick in the draft, which is to be expected.
However, he also said that they’re prepared to pick “if we have to”, which clearly signals the front office’s ongoing desire to trade the No. 1 selection.
Gupta also noted that the Wolves don’t have much cap space to use in the free agent market this year but that they have room under the tax line to retain one or both of Beasley and Hernangomez.
The Timberwolves front office is still working through the process of interviewing up to 10 prospects in person and also gathering general information from a variety of sources to be as prepared as possible leading into the Nov. 18 draft.
Remember, the Wolves have the No. 17 and No. 33 picks in addition to No. 1, and if they end up trading back from the top pick, they’ll need to have plenty of information on the entire prospect pool to be prepared for opportunities on draft night.
It will be fascinating to see how the next two-plus weeks play out as we draw closer to the strangest NBA Draft and free agency period in the league’s history.