It’s a waiting game for Malik Beasley, who remains a free agent three weeks into the new season. Beasley hasn’t been cleared by the NBA or by the federal investigators regarding his alleged involvement in illegal betting activities.
Speaking on a recent Instagram Live, Beasley answered questions from his followers, including about the team he wants to play for once his name gets cleared to return. He named the Detroit Pistons as his preferred destination.
“If I do go back to the NBA, it’s gonna be with the Pistons. I haven’t signed anything yet, but I have my strongest ties there. I had my best season there last year, and hopefully I can fit back in with the team,” Beasley said, via Pistons Talk on X.
Beasley had the best year of his career with the Pistons last season, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He made the second-most 3-pointers in the league and came in second for the Sixth Man of the Year voting behind Payton Pritchard.
According to NBA journalist Pablo Torre, Beasley is still under investigation by the NBA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. His case is not connected to the indictments that led to the arrest of Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups. He was reportedly investigated for betting on other sports.
Beasley Drawing Interest From Europe and China
While Malik Beasley hasn’t been cleared to return, he’s free to sign with teams overseas in Europe and China. Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported that Beasley has received interest from teams abroad, and they are willing to compromise to give him an out clause, especially in China, if the NBA clears him.
The Chinese Basketball Association is set to start next month, so Beasley has plenty of time to get in shape if he decides to bring his services there. He was supposed to sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Detroit Pistons before the NBA and the federal government’s investigation halted the negotiations.
The Pistons seemingly moved on from Beasley after acquiring Duncan Robinson from the Miami Heat and signing Caris LeVert in free agency. Robinson can shoot from long range like Beasley, while LeVert is more of a three-level scorer.
Several NBA Teams Still Interested in Beasley
Once Malik Beasley gets cleared by the NBA, multiple teams are reportedly interested in bringing him in this season. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line revealed toward the end of August that the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are monitoring his situation.
Beasley is likely to command a veteran’s minimum, as he rebuilds his reputation before expecting something similar to what the Pistons were prepared to give him this past summer. The Pistons are lacking scoring from their bench, which is the same case for the other three teams.
The Timberwolves are sorely missing Nickeil Alexander-Walker‘s production off the bench, while the Cavaliers could use a sixth man after losing Ty Jerome in free agency. The Knicks already found their man in Jordan Clarkson, with Josh Hart also being used off the bench by coach Mike Brown.
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