Malik Beasley’s Next Move: Which Surprising Team Will Land the Free Agent Star?

Malik Beasley—a name that’s been buzzing louder than a swarm of bees at a summer picnic—still sits atop the free-agent heap well into late August. Just last season, this sharpshooting dynamo dazzled off Detroit’s bench, pumping in an impressive 16.3 points per game and draining threes at a 41.6% clip, which earned him a close second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting. But here’s the kicker—the timing of his free agency got tangled up in a federal gambling probe, casting a long shadow over what should’ve been a straightforward signing season. Now, with legal whispers fading and his name cleared as a target, the doors might be cracking open again for Beasley. Alas, the market isn’t what it was—teams have plugged their holes and tightened purse strings, leaving Malik potentially looking at minimum deals rather than the multi-million dollar contracts he once courted. Detroit’s pivot to LeVert and Robinson speaks volumes—opportunities once ripe have withered. Still, whispers from the Cavaliers and Knicks hint that interest lingers, though mainly at veteran minimum terms. And don’t overlook playoff hopefuls like the Timberwolves, Warriors, and 76ers, who might want a taste but not yet the wallet to match. It’s a tricky juncture for Beasley, but if he’s savvy—and he sure is—this might just be the opening act before a bigger, bolder encore next summer.LEARN MORE

He is still available in late August because just before the start of free agency he was named as a person of interest in a federal gambling probe, after which no team would go near him. Now Beasley is no longer a target in that U.S. Attorney’s investigation, according to his lawyers, which means the market might open up for him again.Malik Beasley is the best free agent available on the market. Last season, he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, averaging 16.3 points a game off the bench in Detroit, shooting 41.6% from beyond the arc.Except that the market now is very different, as most teams have filled out their rosters and don’t have the roster or cap space to pay Beasley what he deserves. Detroit is a good example. Beasley reportedly was talking with the Pistons about a three-year, million contract prior to the federal probe, which stalled those talks. Now the Pistons have largely moved on, going out and adding Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson to fill Beasley’s role and getting their roster up to 14 players. While the Pistons could sign him, it’s unlikely now.Beasley may ultimately have to sign a one-year, veteran minimum contract and then play his way into a bigger deal next summer.

The Knicks and Cavaliers have checked in on Malik Beasley, sources told @hoopshype. Knicks executive Gersson Rosas signed Beasley to a four-year, M deal with the Timberwolves. Knicks and Cavs have minimum deals to offer. Beasley is no longer a target of a federal investigationThere are teams interested — such as the Cavaliers and Knicks, reports Michael Scotto of Hoopshype — but most contending teams could only offer him a veteran minimum deal. (Knicks reporter Ian Begley added the Knicks had done “background work” on Beasley.)