One of the lingering questions heading into the new NBA season involves free agent Malik Beasley, who had been placed on hold due to a gambling investigation. With that issue now resolved, the sharpshooter is back on the market, and two Eastern Conference teams have reportedly joined the Detroit Pistons in showing interest.
After a standout season with the Pistons, where he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, Beasley was widely expected to land a lucrative long-term contract.
When his legal situation became a concern, the Pistons moved quickly to cover themselves in the market. Following the uncertainty around Beasley’s future and the departure of veteran shooter Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Denver Nuggets, Detroit added Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson, and Javonte Green. Beasley had originally been projected to receive a three-year, $42 million deal to stay with the Pistons.
However, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Pistons still hold interest in Beasley following his clearance from the federal gambling investigation. If he re-signs with Detroit, the most he can earn is $7.2 million, per ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks. That figure is roughly half of what Beasley was expected to command before the probe, leaving him likely to explore other options late in free agency.
Malik Beasley #5 of the Detroit Pistons reacts in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks
In addition to the Pistons, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have been monitoring Beasley’s free agency status during the NBA preseason, sources said. Ian Begley of SNY also linked Beasley to the Knicks, reporting that New York conducted a background check on the guard last week.
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Neither team has made a formal offer to the 28-year-old at this point. Due to cap restrictions, the Knicks have only $3.7 million in space and can offer Beasley nothing more than a minimum deal. New York also has two open roster spots that still need to be filled.
The Pacers, meanwhile, currently have a full 15-man roster. Still, it is expected they won’t retain both James Wiseman and Tony Bradley entering the 2025-26 season, as both players are on non-guaranteed deals that could be used to create space for an upgrade.
For Indiana, Beasley could represent a cost-effective option, especially with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined indefinitely following ACL surgery. The Pacers will not be a tax-paying team in 2025-26 and remain roughly $6 million below the luxury tax as August winds down.
All things considered, Beasley’s market is fluid. Detroit remains in the mix, but both the Knicks and Pacers could make late pushes if the numbers align, giving the veteran guard more than one path back into the Eastern Conference spotlight.
