Michael Beasley Released by Phoenix Suns

After a disappointing season and yet another troubling offseason, Michael Beasley's time with the Phoenix Suns has come to an end.

The Suns announced the news on Tuesday:

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The Phoenix Suns waived forward Michael Beasley today pursuant to a termination agreement between the club and him. In accordance with that agreement, the compensation owed to him by the team will be reduced, and the Suns’ salary cap room will be increased for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

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According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Suns created enough cap space by trading Caron Butler last week to soften the "financial hit stemming from Beasley's departure."  

Moreover, by making the move after Sept. 1, the organization can pay part of Beasley's guaranteed money over multiple seasons in the future. 

This move only continues the downward spiral for Beasley, who was once considered one of the game's most promising prospects after being drafted No. 2 overall in 2008.   

After four up-and-down seasons with the Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, in which he mixed in encouraging moments with some real head-scratching ones, he moved to Phoenix looking for a fresh start. 

Instead, he averaged career lows in points (10.1), shooting percentage (40.5), rebounds (3.8) and minutes (20.7).

To make things worse, he hasn't been a stranger to run-ins with the law. 

In addition to an arrest on suspicion of marijuana possession last week that Stein noted, Beasley, according to CBS Sports' Zach Harper, has had three other public incidents involving marijuana, including time in a Houston rehab center in 2009.

According to USA Today's Erin O'Connor, he was also cited for several driving offenses in February and accused of sexual assault earlier this year, although no charges ever stemmed from that incident. 

Beasley is still just 24 years old, and there is certainly potential for him to serve as a quality role player in the Association.

But he has proved to provide more headaches than quality play on the court.

New general manager Ryan McDonough is rebuilding the Suns organization, and getting rid of the much-maligned Beasley was clearly one of the initial steps.