Malik Beasley could be considered the top unrestricted free agent on the market now that he is no longer a target of a federal gambling investigation.
Beasley played a major role in Detroit’s return to relevance last season. He was the runner-up in the Sixth Man of the Year voting after knocking down 319 three-pointers during the regular season, second only to Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards (320).
The investigation – and Beasley’s financial issues – came to light at the worst possible time. He was reportedly poised to sign a three-year, $42MM contract with the Pistons but that offered was pulled during the federal probe.
Detroit pivoted from Beasley and acquired Caris LeVert via free agency and Duncan Robinson in a sign-and-trade to serve as the wings on its second unit. The Pistons still hold Beasley’s Non-Bird rights but can only offer him a starting salary of $7.2MM. On paper, the Pistons don’t really have a pressing need to bring back Beasley.
If Detroit doesn’t re-sign him, Beasley will almost certainly have to take less in the marketplace, considering the salary cap challenges that a majority of teams are facing. Beasley might even have to settle for a veteran’s minimum deal and hope for better luck next summer.
The Knicks are one of the teams believed to have interest in Beasley but they could only give him a minimum deal. The Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Warriors and Sixers are some of the other teams with roster openings that might be looking to add another shooter, but all four clubs project to be taxpayers and have limited cap flexibility.
That brings us to today’s topic: Now that Malik Beasley is no longer a target in a federal gambling investigation, where will the unrestricted free agent wind up? Will he re-sign with Detroit or head elsewhere? Which contender would benefit the most from signing Beasley, one of the league’s premier three-point shooters?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Now this is a guy the Warriors could realistically target, I’d rather have him than Al Horford
Isnt he basically Buddy Hield?
I think he is better, but I can see the resemblance
And Horford would be perfect for the Knicks. Sounds good to me.
I wonder if he will sue the gov since he was pretty close to finalizing a contract when they choose to announce their investigation.
Wouldnt really want him in a locker room though. Seems like a guy who makes bad decisions. He had the legal trouble before, and the suspension for I think it was cannabis, which is whatever, but at the time he knew the rules. He then has had all this other dirty laundry come out since the investigation was announced.
Very hard to sue the US Government, especially in a situation like this.
I actually think Buddy adds more to the Dubs than Beasley would, he’s very one dimensional and I don’t see them pursuing this guy anyway. Buddy is flawed, but not not like Beasley.
The main problem with Buddy is he gets beat on defense and then does the look im trying foul. So he causes so many and 1s with his weak little try hard fouls.
True, but Beasley’s D is not very good either. Both are the 3 without the D. Buddy has a little more BB IQ, and passes pretty well.
He was suspended for pointing a rifle at a family outside his house during a home tour.
Which one of us has not done THAT!
Don’t bet on it! No pun intended.
Minny would be slick to jump
In here if possible
Think they can offer more then the min currently as well – Stlll see Det as favorites by a good amount
The Brooklyn Nets.
Beasley, MPJ, Cam Thomas. One ball.
The 2014 Spurs will be put to shame.
That made me laugh
He should definitely sign with the Pistons. Last season he was second in 6th Man of the Year Award Honors because he was arguably down the stretch playoff run the second most important player for the Pistons next to Cade Cunningham. With the departures of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder, who were key pieces to the Pistons rotation, Beasley will seamlessly continue to build upon his role of spreading the floor, and most importantly, be a key chemistry piece to the core of a team that really jelled together. His identity, on and off the court, is Detroit Basketball personified. He embraced the City…and the City embraced him.
Pistons can sign him for 7.2 mill one year. They owe him that. Makes them a deep team. For one year, I do it.
Don’t want him in NY. Too many places to get in trouble here. Knicks stay away.
Bucks, Clippers, Heat, should all be looking at him at minimum.
Pistons will resign him and cut javonte green as they only owe green about 1 million not a bad pay day considering he won’t ever play a game there.. Beasley loved Detroit and he thrived here pistons would be dumb not to offer him the 7 million they have open it makes detroit very deep and although lacking some defense id hate to be the team trying to guard Robinson, Beasley, Cunningham.. Langdon the clock is ticking ……
Nobody HAS to sign Beasley… same as nobody HAS to sign Been Simmons…
There are a few teams with the MLE available. Spurs, Kings, Wizards, Hawks, Hornets, Jazz. They would be able to pay more than the $7.2M Detroit can offer. He has done a “prove it”, and he did prove it. He wants to prove the league wrong, and that can really only happen on a playoff team. So, Detroit, Spurs or Hawks. Are either of them willing to take him on? Especially above what Detroit can offer? He will likely be stuck with another 1 year deal, and that sucks for him. But he needs a payday.
From the Piston’s perspective, what minutes will be take? Do you want Robinson and Beasley on the floor at the same time? How does that work defensively? Granted the shooting around Cade, especially if JIs shooting is real will be impressive, but it is asking a lot of 2 defenders (Stew and Ausar?) to make up for the lack of defense if Robinson and Beasley are sharing the floor.