NEW YORK, NY – The Knicks have quietly moved into position. Malik Beasley , once sidelined by an ongoing gambling investigation, is now back in play. Federal prosecutors informed his attorneys that he is no longer a target, effectively reopening his free agency. The timing changes everything. Detroit had prepared to sign him to a three-year, $42 million deal before pulling back. That decision left one of the league’s most reliable perimeter scorers adrift in late summer. Now, New York’s front office has stepped into the vacuum.
Knicks Emerge As Favorites In Race For Top Three Sharpshooter
A Shooter’s Case for New York
Beasley’s résumé is undeniable. He averaged 16.3 points across all 82 games with Detroit last season, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. His 319 made threes set a Pistons record and ranked second in the NBA, just one behind Anthony Edwards .
Malik Beasley’s connection to the Knicks obviously makes sense. New York’s offense has long lacked consistent floor spacing, especially off the bench. Beasley ranked second in both total bench points and total bench threes. He also sank 248 catch-and-shoot triples, the most since player tracking began in 2013-14. By all three-point shooting metrics, Beasley was among the top three shooters last season. That kind of production is rare and, for New York, tempting.
The Financial Roadblocks
Detroit’s signing of Caris LeVert limited its ability to keep Beasley for more than $7.2 million. Other franchises—Chicago, Indiana, New Orleans, Sacramento, Washington—can still offer more. Brooklyn even holds over $20 million in space.
Still, the Knicks’ pursuit of Malik is not about money. New York already used its taxpayer mid-level exception on Guerschon Yabusele . That leaves only a veteran minimum slot for Beasley. Yet sources indicate New York remains undeterred. The appeal lies in opportunity: playing for a contender on basketball’s biggest stage.
A Reputation to Restore
Beasley’s name carried weight long before this summer. The investigation, launched in June, froze his market one day before free agency. But after months of scrutiny, prosecutors confirmed he was never a target.
His attorneys called the experience damaging and unfair. “An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have this consequence,” Steve Haney told ESPN. The Knicks interest in Malik Beasley now hinge on a simple truth: his reputation has survived intact.
The Knicks’ Calculus
The Knicks sit with 12 players under contract. Their roster needs more perimeter shooting as they finished 24th in three-pointers made. Beasley offers that fit. He also offers a chance to deepen a playoff rotation without jeopardizing future cap flexibility.
For New York, the move would be classic low-risk, high-reward. A veteran minimum for one of the league’s top shooters will tilt games in April and May.
What Comes Next For The Knicks And Malik Beasley
The Knicks have made their interest clear. Rival teams can outspend them, but few can match their ability to seriously contend for a championship. In the wake of the investigation, Beasley needs a platform. Madison Square Garden provides one.
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