Nets forward Michael Beasley will become the summer’s first substitute player who requires a substitute player of his own, as Shams Charania reports (via Twitter) that Beasley won’t be joining the team after all.
Beasley signed with Brooklyn a week ago, but tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving to the Walt Disney World campus and didn’t clear quarantine. As a result, the Nets have decided to sign a substitute player to replace him. Although Charania doesn’t specify who that player will be, he notes that Justin Anderson “remains a signing candidate.”
Anderson reportedly reached a deal back in June to sign with the Nets and said during an appearance on the JWILLY Show (YouTube link) on Monday that he was quarantining in an Orlando-area hotel in preparation.
It’s a tough break for Beasley, who had been out of the NBA since February of 2019 and likely would have had a chance to earn some playing time this summer for the Nets, who are missing a total of seven players from their original squad.
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Nicolas Claxton are sidelined with injuries, Wilson Chandler voluntarily opted out, and DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Taurean Prince have been ruled out following positive coronavirus tests. Beasley becomes the eighth Nets player who won’t participate in the restart.
Brooklyn has been able to sign substitute players to replace its non-injured players, bringing aboard Jamal Crawford, Lance Thomas, and Donta Hall along with Beasley. The former No. 2 overall pick will now be replaced by a fifth substitute player, presumably Anderson.
This is very confusing. When Rondo got hurt it was reported that they couldn’t replace him. But Beasley can be replaced?
Beasley signed with Brooklyn a week ago, but tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving to the Walt Disney World campus and didn’t clear quarantine.
Pretty simple.
You have corona you can be replaced
You actually get injured you can’t be replaced.
Makes perfect sense doesn’t it?
Oh so if you get corona then you can be replaced. Thank you.
In an odd way it does make sense. Roster sizes were increased a few years ago with the intention that players would be declared inactive when injured instead of placed on an injured list. They couldn’t be replaced because they are still on the roster. The COVID pandemic is a special situation, so it makes sense that substitutes are allowed.
My understanding is that if you are replaced due to testing positive for COVID, you still get paid. If Beasley has his pay withheld for the five games where he was supposed to be suspended, would his suspension be cleared?
Good question. My assumption is yes, but I’ll have to confirm that.
Also interested to know
I think Kennith Faried would be a good signing for them as a back up big behind Allen