After officially signing with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday afternoon, Michael Beasley has made his way to Orlando where he has begun league-mandated quarantine.
During a conference call with reporters, general manager Sean Marks said that Beasley arrived at the team’s hotel, passed a physical examination and must be test negative for coronavirus for six consecutive days before he is cleared to join the team at practice.
The Nets had vacant substitute roster spots after Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince tested positive for the coronavirus. Marks said that Tyler Johnson did not travel with the team for personal reasons but will be joining the group in Orlando.
Jamal Crawford will fill one of the other two vacant spots, a source told ESPN, confirming a report by the Athletic. Marks did not give a timeline for when he would like to have the other roster spots filled.
“We need to get these guys in front of our coaching staff and in front of each other,” Marks said. “Somebody joked today (that) we were going to have to have them wearing name tags because it is a new roster.”
Marks said that while evaluating who to sign for the Nets’ Orlando squad, he takes into consideration how they would fit with the other players, what positional holes the team has, how quickly they can be available and how long each player has to quarantine.
Brooklyn will be balancing continuing to develop young players like Jarrett Allen, and getting the veterans they’ve signed playing time.
“I think we’re having a really good debate about that,” Marks said. “Those guys continue their development curve. We’re obviously here to compete. As it stands now we’re in the playoffs, and the objective is to compete as well as we can while we’re down here.”
Beasley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, would have to serve a five-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy last April. He will be eligible to play in Brooklyn’s sixth seeding game.
The 31-year-old last played in the NBA during the 2018-19 season with the Lakers, averaging 7.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 26 games. He was traded to the Clippers at the trade deadline and was immediately waived.
Beasley has played for seven teams in the NBA, including three stints with the Miami Heat. He also played for two teams in China.
Marks said that the substitute players Brooklyn is bringing in will have a shot at earning a roster spot for the 2020-21 season.
“I think we’re always going to be evaluating players,” Marks said. “(On) how they will fit with not only with the group that we have now, but the group that’s expected to be part of this team next year and the year after that.”
