Nets: Sean Marks Must Be Lying About KD and Michael Beasley

If Kevin Durant wasn’t involved in the Nets signing Michael Beasley, then…what was the Michael Beasley signing?!

The Brooklyn Nets, depleted beyond reason, have turned to a few faces they never anticipated they’d have to use during the 2019-20 season whatsoever.

Unfortunately, one of those desperation space-fillers…won’t even really be able to fill space.

When the Nets signed Michael Beasley and Jamal Crawford on Wednesday, the internet went from immediate joy (Crawford was finally getting a chance!) to confusion (Wait, isn’t Michael Beasley suspended?).

Yes. He is suspended. Absolutely.

Somebody then has to explain why the Nets signed somebody who is suspended for 5 of the 8 guaranteed games. https://t.co/WMa4eM4C0c
— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) July 9, 2020

Beasley will be missing five games right off the bat in an eight-game tuneup, meaning the Nets truly just signed him for their “postseason run” — which may consist of as few as four additional games. Why is the best course of action for a bubble situation importing someone you have very little familiarity with or use for?

Did Kevin Durant pull the strings on this one?

Sean Marks can downplay KD’s influence all he wants, but claiming Durant, Beasley’s long-time friend, was “not a factor” whatsoever seems like as plain a lie as you’ll hear.

Jamal Crawford and Michael Beasley are replacing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant... The Nets really are in the Darkest Timeline 😂
— Mike Korzemba (@mikekorz) July 9, 2020

We get it. It’s hard to run 2020-21 auditions for five roster spots in what’s supposedly a competitive playoff race. But Beasley will not be on the Nets next season (unless Durant places him there himself), and he’ll barely be on the Nets this season. A veteran presence is supposed to actually be present, right?

It’s fine to admit that you’re doing your best player a favor by letting his friend get on his feet, but Marks vehemently denying such things simply has to involve stretching the truth.

Next. Michael Grady Has Strong KD-Kyrie Comparison. dark

Crawford and Beasley have shown no signs that they’re anything more than statistical compilers at this point, not to downplay Crawford’s career accomplishments. Adding one can be justified, but the pair makes very little sense together, especially taking Beasley’s suspension into account.

When you start to assign the absent Durant responsibility, though, the pieces fit a little more.