In early February, a judge sentenced Malik Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves to 120 days in jail following Beasley’s September 2020 arrest on charges of possession of illegal substances and threats of violence. According to a statement from the Plymouth, MA, Police Department, officers were called to Beasley’s home by individuals who claimed they stopped their car in front of a house and that the suspect (later identified as Beasley) walked up to their vehicle, tapped on the vehicle window, pointed a rifle at them, and advised them to get off the property. “As the victims drove away, the suspect was observed holding the rifle up to his shoulder, pointing it at their vehicle,” the police statement said. There was also a strong odor of marijuana when the police got to the scene.
Beasley pled guilty, and a deal was reached where felony drug charges were dropped. However, the charges alleging threats of violence remained. There is talk about the charges being reduced to misdemeanors once Beasley has served his sentence.
“We are very pleased with this outcome that will allow Malik to continue working on becoming a better person and making better choices.”
Steven Haney (Malik Beasley’s attorney)
Beasley’s 120-day prison sentence will take place after the conclusion of the 2020-2021 NBA season, so he will be able to keep playing. He is also being required to take anger management classes. Beasley is currently having a breakout year for the Timberwolves, averaging 20.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Last November, he signed a 4-year, $60 million deal with the Timberwolves. Beasley is being allowed to serve his sentence in an adult corrections facility, not a jail or prison.
My take on the situation (not the facts of the case):
There is no doubt in my mind that what Malik Beasley did was wrong. I’m no law expert, but I’m pretty sure if any normal person that wasn’t a celebrity of sorts had two pounds of marijuana on them and threatened people with a rifle, they would most likely end up with much longer then 120 days in an adult corrections facility. Currently, threats of violence (especially when you have a gun to back up your threat) is a felony, and most felonies of this sort can put you in jail for up to five years. Beasley committed a felony and is getting off with a misdemeanor punishment. Either Beasley has the best attorney in the US, or his status as an NBA player is keeping him from getting in further trouble. No offense to Steve Haney, but I think we all know the answer and understand the double standard at work here.
Comment down below if you think Beasley should get a different punishment, don’t forget to follow the blog and, as always, have an awesome day!
NBA Blog 
Hypocrisy at work, both in the NBA and inconsistencies in our Legal system. Allowing Beasley to complete the 2020-2021 season prior to serving his 120 day sentence in an adult corrections facility, and reducing the charges from a felony to a misdemeanor is absurd. Is the league that desperate to protect their star players? If this was the NFL, assuming a first time offense, the league would issue at minimum, a four game suspension pending an investigation. This suspension would be affective immediately. Here we are talking about possession of a firearm and threatening individuals with it (even pointing a gun at someone) is a felony. Introduce drugs into this situation and you are correct, up to 5 years in prison (again assuming a first time offense). I wonder what it cost the team and/or league to negotiate this “sweetheart” deal, clearly it would not be the same for the average citizen.
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