Malik Beasley Likely Done for the Year

Malik Beasley was enjoying the finest season of his career, right up to his 12-game suspension for an off-season gun-related incident. Once he returned from that absence, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard - who was in the running for most improved player - injured his hamstring after four games and is now out for 4-6 weeks. 

Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a Grade 3 left hamstring injury.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 5, 2021

In the 33 games prior to his suspension, he averaged 20.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.5 apg while hitting on 40.6% 3P attempts. This was by far the most productive stretch of Beasley's career, as he had a tough time breaking through in Denver, where he was drafted 19th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. 

My guess is Malik Beasley might be done for the season. 4-6 weeks takes him almost down to the end of the year. With the Wolves going nowhere, there's no real reason to bring him back for a few meaningless games late in the year.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 5, 2021

With the Wolves chasing the lottery once again, and given the severity of the injury, it's hard to see them trying to push for Beasley to come back quickly. Minnesota is presently last place in the NBA at 12-38, and are in a complete rebuild mode. 

Their season has been off the rails from the beginning, as Karl-Anthony Towns missed significant time with a variety of ailments, D'Angelo Russell just returned from a 26-game absence, and rookie Anthony Edwards failed to carry the franchise as a number one overall pick - although Edwards has certainly come around in the 2nd half of the season. In the 14 games since the All-Star Game, Ant-Man has averaged 24.6 ppg & 5.0 rpg, which does provide some hope for the Wolves future. 

Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Malik Beasley have shared the floor for 13 minutes this season...

Net rating of +37.9 tho!

— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) April 5, 2021

Looking forward to next season, if they can get a healthy Beasley, KAT and Russell, combined with an improved Edwards in Year 2 and the addition of another top pick at the draft, Minnesota may start to move up the standings quickly.   

Photo Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports