The NBA is on Day 3 of free agency. Malik Beasley is one of the hottest unrestricted free agents left on the market. Hoops Hype Michael Scotto reported today that league sources told him six teams had contacted Beasley. The teams that have reached out to the 6-4 wing are the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA Rumors: 6 Teams Have Reached Out To Malik Beasley
Beasley is a free agent because he declined his $16.5 million player option. Beasley is an elite scorer, although he has struggled shooting the ball for the past two years. He averaged 12.7 points and 2.9 treys a game while knocking the perimeter shots down at a 35.7% clip this past season in 81 games for the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz. However, Beasley logged less than 12 minutes a game during the Lakers’ 2023 postseason run. He averages 2.2 3-pointers while shooting them at a 37.8% clip for his career.
According to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, Beasley could return to the Lakers. Fischer said that Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka “holds the shooting wing in high regard.” Meanwhile, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin filed a similar report on Thursday, stating that the Lakers “would keep in touch with Beasley’s representatives.”
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles has 12 players under contract for 2023-24, meaning the Lakers still have two or three open spots left. This includes 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood Schifino, who has yet to strike a deal.
Already in free agency, the Lakers have re-signed D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. They also have inked Gabe Vincent, Taureen Prince, Jaxson Hayes, and Cam Reddish to free-agent deals.
The Lakers are over $5 million under the luxury tax and $12 million below being hard capped. But the Lakers can offer Beasley the most money as they own his Bird rights. They also could use him for veteran depth though he would likely be the Lakers’ fifth guard and probably their 10th or 11th man right now.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has done an excellent job filling out its roster with veterans willing to sign for the minimum. The Suns have 15 players under contract and are above the league’s second apron. So, the Suns would have to release or trade a player if they sign Beasley. Isaiah Todd, Ish Wainwright, or Jordan Goodwin are most likely to be moved.
Beasley should be in line for some pretty solid minutes with Phoenix. Depending on how the Suns construct their starting lineup, he would potentially back up Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. It is possible Beasley would start at small forward, with Beal and Booker playing either the one or two.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State theoretically has 10 players under contract, including unsigned first-rounder Brandin Podziemski. Beasley would conceivably have a huge role off the Warriors’ bench, although he would have to accept a minimum contract.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia has 10 players under contract. The 76ers’ only free-agent move thus far is signing Patrick Beverley. However, the Sixers are rumored to be in the mix for Damian Lillard. They also could be shopping Tobias Harris and James Harden.
Depending on what the 76ers do this offseason, Beasley is certainly in line for plenty of playing time with the Sixers. The Sixers need 3-point shooting and have the mid-level and bi-annual exception to offer Beasley.
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has 14 players under contract, including unsigned first-rounders Dereck Lively II and Olivier Maxence Prosper. While the Mavericks have their mid-level exception available, they really don’t need Beasley after inking Seth Curry to a two-year deal.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is an interesting case. The Raptors have 15 players under contract, including unsigned lottery selection Gradey Dick. The Raptors have re-signed Jakob Poeltl and signed Jalen McDaniels and Dennis Schroder. They are $15 million from being hard capped but don’t have any exceptions to offer. However, they do have flexibility with Joe Wieskamp holding a nonguaranteed deal.
Unless Toronto trades OG Anunoby or Pascal Siakim, Beasley doesn’t figure to get a lot of playing time with the Raptors.
Milwaukee Bucks
After re-signing Jae Crowder, the Bucks have nine players under contract and are well over the luxury tax. Milwaukee does have a $5 million taxpayer exception to use. However, what kind of role Beasley would have with the team is unknown.
