For anyone who remembers Michael Beasley at his peak, it’s hard to forget just how electrifying he was with the ball in his hands. At 6-foot-9, the lefty forward was a walking bucket. He could shoot it smooth from mid-range, bury threes with ease, and dominate in the post with that soft, feathery touch that only a handful of players have. And let’s not forget—he could rise up and dunk it on just about anyone. Yet, as flashy as his skillset was, his story didn’t follow the typical superstar script.

Still, that story began like one. Back in 2008, Beasley was taken No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft—just behind Derrick Rose. He was coming off a legendary freshman season at Kansas State, where he averaged 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Scouts and fans saw him as a generational scorer, an

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