{"id":156628,"date":"2025-08-26T17:56:35","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T21:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=156628"},"modified":"2026-02-28T15:06:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:06:35","slug":"malik-beasley-free-agency-takes-another-roller-coaster-turn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/26\/malik-beasley-free-agency-takes-another-roller-coaster-turn\/","title":{"rendered":"Malik Beasley’s Free Agency Takes Another Roller Coaster Turn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Only time will tell what Detroit Pistons free agent Malik Beasley<\/a>‘s destiny is.<\/p>\n

Malik Beasley’s Free Agency Takes Another Roller Coaster Turn<\/h2>\n

This time last year, Beasley was prepping for his ninth NBA season, joining a downtrodden Detroit team that had lost a franchise-worst 68 games in 2023-24. It was far from an act of altruism. Beasley was paid well to help address their oft-discussed spacing concerns, earning three times more than he did with his previous team.<\/p>\n

However, Beasley’s reputation was damaged by his subpar play in the back half of 2022-23, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. As a result, he went from getting $15.6 million from the Lakers in 2023-24 to getting $2 million from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24; a minimum salary contract.<\/p>\n

That’s what makes his current situation sting even more than it would have in general.<\/p>\n

More Money, More Problems<\/h3>\n

Nobody wants to be the target of a federal investigation<\/a>, especially when that puts their integrity in question. For Beasley, the timing couldn’t have been any worse. Entering this offseason’s free agency period, he was on track to sign a three-year, $42 million contract to return to Detroit. That $14 million annual salary essentially would’ve reflected that his honor had been restored.<\/p>\n

Instead, the Pistons pulled back their offer, leaving Beasley without an NBA home. At least, that was until the 28-year-old was no longer classified a target<\/a> of the federal gambling probe. Though the Pistons can only offer Beasley up to $7.2 million now, they “recently touched base” with the marksman, per HoopsHype senior insider Michael Scotto. The Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have also demonstrated interest<\/a> in signing him.<\/p>\n

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Update: The Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves have recently touched base on Malik Beasley, along with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers, sources told @hoopshype<\/a>. It\u2019s worth noting Cavs guard Max Strus expects to miss 3-4 months after Jones fracture foot surgery https:\/\/t.co\/IRtjgG5oIb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n