Before even free agency started, the Detroit Pistons ran into a hurdle. Their best bench contributor, Malik Beasley , found his name in criminal investigations due to gambling. According to reports, the United States District Attorney’s office is investigating the guard on gambling related to NBA games and prop bets. These allegations are from the 2023-24 season when he played for the Milwaukee Bucks. Nevertheless, the Pistons will have to pivot and change their offseason plans.
Recent Malik Beasley Report Could Ruin Pistons’ Offseason
Shams reported that the Pistons and Beasley were in contract negotiations when the news of the gambling broke. Last season, Beasley was the team’s third-leading scorer after Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey . We have to note that Ivey played only 30 games due to injuries. Malik also finished second in voting behind Payton Pritchard for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. He averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists on 41.6% shooting from behind the arc.
His attorney, Steve Haney, said that teams should wait and give him the same presumption of innocence as anyone in the US. An investigation is not a charge, and plenty of players have cleared their names after an ongoing investigation. As of now, Beasley hasn’t been charged with anything. However, the Pistons will not have time to wait if they want to improve and contend in what will be a weak Eastern Conference next season due to injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton .
How Can the Pistons Pivot?
The Pistons will be one of the teams with cap space this summer, depending on what they do with their own free agents. But with the recent gambling report involving Beasley, they are likely to pivot to other names. There are three names they can target as replacements for their bench contributor. The good news is that all of them will demand something in the range of the mid-level exception. By offering a bit more, the Pistons can be ahead in the race.
The three names they can target are Ty Jerome , Santi Aldama , and Nickeil Alexander-Walker . Jerome and Alexander-Walker are great alternatives to Beasley as they can shoot and make plays. Aldama might be a dream target for the Pistons, but it is unknown whether the Memphis Grizzlies will let him walk. Jerome is all but certainly gone from Cleveland, while the Minnesota Timberwolves will have a hard time retaining Alexander-Walker.
How Does the Gambling Report Affect Malik Beasley’s Offseason?
Per reports, the Pistons and Beasley were in talks on a new, three-year $42 million contract. Those negotiations are now on hold, and it is unlikely that last year’s Sixth Man of the Year finalist will get attention in the first few days of free agency. Teams around the league will likely wait and see what happens with the ongoing investigation before they make a move. The contract fits right in the tax mid-level exception. Several teams can offer similar money, but Beasley will have to clear his name first before signing a new contract.
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