With Jalen Brunson leading the way, the New York Knicks continue exploring roster upgrades ahead of the upcoming NBA season. According to reports, the front office has turned its attention to adding more perimeter shooting to complement its star guard.
The player drawing New York’s interest is veteran sharpshooter Malik Beasley, one of the most efficient three-point specialists in the league. Beasley was sidelined during the opening weeks of free agency due to a federal gambling investigation, but ESPN reported that his attorney, Steve Haney, confirmed he is no longer a target in the case.
“Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,” Haney told ESPN. “An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence”.
Before the investigation surfaced, Beasley was reportedly set to sign a three-year, $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. That deal was scrapped, and now the Knicks are among the teams evaluating his availability.
Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the New York Knicks. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Knicks are among the teams with interest in the 28-year-old guard. Other clubs with exceptions above $7.2 million include the Bulls, Pacers, Pelicans, Kings, Wizards, and Nets.
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“Yet New York has also been cited as a team that could pursue Malik Beasley after ESPN reported Friday that Beasley is no longer the target of a federal gambling investigation,” Fischer noted. He also reported that the Knicks have maintained interest in Beasley dating back to the playoff series against the Pistons.
“I’m told that the Knicks have maintained a level of interest in Beasley since the teams met in the first round of the playoffs in May and now the sharpshooter appears poised to become an unexpected late-summer free agent of note after the launch of the investigation just as free agency was about to commence led Detroit to scrap its plans to sign him to a new three-year, $42 million deal,” he added.
Beasley is coming off a career year with the Pistons, where he set a franchise record with 212 made three-pointers while shooting 41.6% from deep. He appeared in all 82 games, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per contest.
