Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley pleads guilty to threats of violence
Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley was charged with two felonies stemming from a September incident in which Beasley allegedly pointed a gun at a family that parked near his home.
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Any potential jail, or home confinement, will not exceed 120 days and will be served at end of 2020-21 season, his attorneys Steven Haney and Ryan Pacyga say. Upon successful completion of probation, the threat of violence charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor. https://t.co/w8E7VhPnC9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2020
The Collective Bargaining Agreement states:
When a player is convicted of (including a plea of guilty, no contest, or nolo contendere to) a violent felony, he shall immediately be suspended by the NBA for a minimum of ten (10) games.
A different section of the CBA defines “violent conduct” to include “any conduct involving the use or threat of physical violence or the use of, or threat to use, a deadly weapon.”
It’s unclear whether this qualifies as a violent felony, including because the charge would be reduced to a misdemeanor if Beasley successfully completes his probation.
But Beasley seemingly faces a 10-plus-game suspension.
If Minnesota advances in the playoffs, a 120-day confinement could run into the the start of the 2021-22 season. Obviously, the Timberwolves are unlikely to go that far. But even if they miss the postseason entirely, that’d cut into Beasley’s offseason training.
Beasley was also accused of pointing a gun in the general direction of his son.
He signed a four-year, $60 million contract this offseason.