Michael Beasley was the most talented basketball player. Beas, a 6’9″ left-handed forward selected second in the 2008 NBA Draft following Derrick Rose, was so talented at getting the ball into the hoop that he could do it with his eyes closed.
However, playing and prospering in the NBA was never only about scoring points, and most of the time Beas was unable to get out of his own way, resulting in a less-than-savory image that cut his NBA career short in 2019, when he was only 30 years old. Despite his remarkable skill and promise, Beasley only played 11 seasons in the major leagues.
Beasley, who retired from the NBA a long time ago, wants his previous experience to assist other NBA players, particularly troubled superstar Ja Morant.
Bad company.
Ja was in contention to be the face of the league four years ago. Many thought Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies were the Association’s next big thing, with the 6’2″ guard featuring springy legs, handles that fooled defensemen, and charm that captivated fans. With the Most Improved Player trophy, two consecutive All-Star invitations, and an All-NBA nomination, the dazzling point guard was clearly the toast of the NBA.
Fast forward to 2026, and Ja is toast. Burnt and bitter, his career has gone so far off the rails that no team wanted any part of him at this year’s trade deadline. Morant, only 26, is a shadow of his former self, plagued by disciplinary concerns and injuries that have restricted him to just 20 games this season.
According to Beasley, Morant’s challenges stem from the company he maintains.
“Ja Morant is surrounded by the wrong individuals in Memphis,” Beasley stated.
“Ja was partying with the cool youngsters in Memphis. ” And Memphis is simply a societal town. So you hang out with certain youngsters, but other children don’t like you. Do you understand? Ja needs to play basketball and quit kicking it with those kids.
Stay in the gym.
Despite being an outstanding guard, Ja’s game needs more polish since he frequently depends on his great speed to do anything he wants on the court. However, as many players in league history have discovered, this is not a practical approach, since what happens when that aspect of your game fades?
Nonetheless, Beasley is perplexed as to why Morant does not want to improve his game. While certain players in his draft class, like as Tyler Herro and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, have improved their games, Ja has moved in the other direction; His shooting has all but left him this season, as he shot a dismal 23. 5% from beyond the arc.
“That’s the part I want him to realize. It’s like, “Dog, you need to keep him in the gym and away from that club, away from those cool places. ” Mike stated that the cool scene is wherever you are, similar to LeBron James. “Ja simply needs to comprehend who he is to Memphis so the city can love him to life and not love him to death. They must help him improve as a person. “
After trading Desmond Bane last summer, the Grizzlies traded former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. this season, leaving Morant as the only member of the team that advanced to the Western semifinals in 2022. So, for all intents and purposes, it looks like Ja will be the final domino to fall if a club wants him.
