So much for speaking honestly.

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn spoke openly about one of his newest players, Michael Beasley.  And, it cost him $50,000.

Apparently, stating that one of his players “smoked too much marijuana” is against the NBA law.  As it turns out, Michael Beasley was recognized as the 2nd best player in the 2008 NBA draft.  Someone owes us an explanation as to why he has not done anything since that draft.  Kahn tried to give us the reason, and it cost him.

“He’s a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he’s not smoking anymore, “and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case.”

Can you believe that cost him 50 grand?  Michael Beasley is 21 years old and, thus far, not performing up to his 2nd overall draft pick status.  He was traded to the Timberwolves in a salary-dump move by the Miami Heat.  Here’s a kid who undoubtedly has made some mistakes.  And yet, he’s young enough to turn things around.  Isn’t that what Khan was saying? 

The NBA and David Stern needs to take a step back.  Openly talking about the negative impact of marijuana is not cause for a hefty fine.  It’s actually amplifying what’s wrong with the NBA.  Kids are given way too much money with the expectation that they know what to do with it.  Some will succeed.  Many will fail.  T-Wolves president David Kahn was speaking a committment to his newest player.  And it cost him.