The Timberwolves have reached a deal to re-sign restricted free-agent shooting guard Malik Beasley, agent Brian Jungreis tells Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Beasley will sign a four-year, $60M contract to remain in Minnesota, according to Charania, who reports — along with Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic — that the deal includes a team option in year four.
After a strong breakout season in Denver in 2018-19, Beasley had his role reduced at the start of the 2019-20 season and was eventually shipped to Minnesota in a deadline deal. He had the best stretch of his career in 14 games as a Timberwolf, averaging 20.7 points and 5.1 rebounds on .472/.426/.750 shooting, lining himself up for a nice payday as a restricted free agent.
There was a sense that Beasley’s recent legal troubles could complicate his RFA payday, but if those off-court issues affected his value, it doesn’t appear the impact was significant. He faces felony charges of fifth-degree drug possession and threats of violence after being arrested in September and recently had his parental rights challenged.
However, the franchise has supported Beasley through that situation, according to Krawczynski, who notes that this new deal represents a “big show of faith.” It seems the Timberwolves still view the young wing — who turns 24 next week — as a building block for the future. He’ll join Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards as the cornerstone pieces in Minnesota.
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