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Summary
After only playing just over 9 minutes per game in 53 games in '17-'18, Beasley had a breakout year in '18-'19, playing over 22 minutes per game in 81 games for a Nuggets team that stormed its way to the 2nd seed in the west. Beasley had one of the best effective field goal percentages in the league for his position at 59.4%, due primarily to his 42% shooting from three. Beasley was able to carry that hot shooting into this past season, hitting over 40% from three. However, his midrange shooting and finishing at the rim struggled compared to the '18-'19 season.
 
Beasley has some leverage in free agency over the Timberwolves, as he was the primary piece of the Robert Covington trade. In addition, the Timberwolves are starved for wings, and would struggle to replace Beasley if he were to leave. However, the Timberwolves have leverage as well considering he is a restricted free agent in a market with few teams having major cap space.

Cap Considerations

Beasley will be a restricted free agent with an $8.2 million cap hold and a $3.9 million Qualifying Offer. Since the Timberwolves will almost certainly be operating over the salary cap, they will tender him the QO and make him a restricted free agent, and have no restrictions on re-signing him. I find it unlikely Beasley's QO will come into play, but if the Timberwolves let him explore the restricted market and he comes up empty, he may end up settling for the QO and becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2021.

 

Other teams will need cap space to pry Beasley away from Minnesota, as it will likely take more than the full $9.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception to get Beasley. There is the possibility for a sign-and-trade if Beasley and an over-the-cap team have mutual interest, and if Minnesota is willing to participate as well.

Potential Teams: Timberwolves, Hawks, Pelicans, Hornets, Pistons

Predicted Contract: 3-year, $40 million with the Timberwolves

Actual Contract: 4-year, $60 million (4th year team option) with the Timberwolves

Beasley did a little better than I expected, getting a little more per year than my prediction, and getting a fourth year (although it's a team option). I was surprised to see Beasley do so well considering it didn't seem like he mad much leverage with a big offer coming from any of the teams with cap space, so it seems the Wolves still really value him enough to make him happy and lock him down long term.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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