Miami Heat decline Michael Beasley's contract option

The Miami Heat have declined Michael Beasley's $1.3 million contract option.

The Miami Heat have declined Michael Beasley's $1.3 million contract option, according to the Associated Press. 

Beasley, 26, spent the first half of the last NBA season playing in China and signed with the Heat in February after the conclusion of the Chinese season. He played 24 games and averaged 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game. 

Beasley was taken by the Heat with the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves after two seasons to clear cap space for Miami to sign LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

After two seasons in Minnesota, Beasley signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns in 2012. He was waived in September 2013 following an arrest for marijuana possession and returned to the Heat, where he came off the bench for one season before signing in China. 

- Dan Gartland