Report: Beasley suspended 5 games for violating anti-drug policy

Free-agent forward Michael Beasley was suspended five games for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, The Athletic's Shams Charania reports.

Beasley failed the drug test between October and November 2018 while he was spending time away from the Los Angeles Lakers to be with his late mother as she was dying from cancer, league sources told Charania.

The suspension only kicks in if Beasley signs a contract with an NBA franchise, Charania adds. He's reportedly leaning toward accepting a $5-million contract in China for this upcoming season, a source told Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

The former No. 2 pick was traded to the Clippers in February before being waived. Beasley spent the remainder of the 2018-19 season with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association.

Beasley averaged seven points and 2.3 rebounds in 26 games with the Lakers last season. The 30-year-old fared better in limited action in China, however, recording averages of 22.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks in five games, according to RealGM.