Malik Beasley’s NBA journey has rarely lacked drama, but this summer, the 28-year-old sharpshooter finds himself at the center of a whirlwind that could reshape multiple franchises’ fortunes. After months of uncertainty clouded by a federal gambling investigation, Beasley is officially cleared to resume his career—just as teams like the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers weigh high-stakes decisions that could determine their trajectories for the upcoming season.
The saga began in January 2024, when a sportsbook flagged suspicious betting activity involving Beasley’s prop bets. At the time, he was suiting up for the Milwaukee Bucks, but by the end of the season, he’d become a vital piece for the Detroit Pistons, helping them reach the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Pistons, recognizing his value, were reportedly ready to offer a three-year, $42 million contract. That deal, however, evaporated as the gambling probe cast a long shadow over Beasley’s free agency.
“Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation,” Beasley’s attorney Steve Haney told ESPN. “An allegation with no charge, indictment or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence.”
The legal limbo took its toll. Beasley faced significant financial difficulties, with reports surfacing of $8 million in unpaid mortgages, rent, and services during the ordeal. On social media, he vented his frustration: “I feel like people turned their backs on me,” Beasley shared on Snapchat. “Low-key, I mean, like, people were saying some crazy things in the media. If you go on my Instagram, you’ll see the craziest s—t. You know, people judge me. Have I made mistakes in my life? Yes. Am I proud of those mistakes? No.”
Despite the off-court challenges, Beasley delivered a season for the ages in Detroit. Appearing in all 82 games, he averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field and an eye-popping 41.6% from three-point range. His 319 made threes set a new Pistons single-season record and ranked just one shy of Anthony Edwards’ league-leading total. He also finished second in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year voting—a testament to his consistency and impact.
With the investigation behind him, Beasley is once again a hot commodity. But the landscape has shifted. The Pistons, having moved quickly to secure Duncan Robinson as another perimeter threat, now find themselves with only $7.2 million in cap space—far less than the $14 million average annual value Beasley had sought before the probe. Still, Detroit has left a roster spot open, signaling at least some interest in a reunion. “Beasley’s addition would be great for the Pistons in some areas and a tremendous showing of loyalty from both sides,” noted a local analyst. “After expressing his desire to remain in Detroit last season and even prior to free agency, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return.”
Yet, the Pistons’ roster construction remains a puzzle. Shooting guard is hardly a position of need, with Jaden Ivey and Marcus Sasser both best suited for the role. Their lack of depth at point guard and power forward looms larger, and Beasley’s one-dimensional skillset—he’s a volume shooter, not a playmaker—doesn’t address those gaps. “He knows his role is to get out there and launch 3s, which he does at an excellent clip, but you’d be hard pressed to see him directly creating for teammates,” one team insider observed. Indeed, Beasley’s 1.7 assists per game last season reflect a career-long trend; he’s only surpassed two assists per game once in nine NBA campaigns.
Enter the Brooklyn Nets, a team in the midst of a roster overhaul and hungry for elite shooting. Brooklyn’s general manager, Sean Marks, has made it clear he’s keeping all options on the table. With the Nets capable of offering more than Detroit’s $7.2 million cap-limited deal, Beasley could be a perfect fit—especially if his price drops below the $14 million annual figure he initially targeted. Only two Nets players from last season, Dariq Whitehead (44.6%) and Dorian Finney-Smith (43.5%, since traded), shot a better percentage from deep than Beasley. The opportunity for Brooklyn to pounce is real, particularly as they seek to build a contender around a new core.
The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, are no strangers to high-profile pursuits. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic orchestrating the offense, the Lakers’ need for shooting and floor spacing is acute. Beasley’s name has surfaced in trade and free agency chatter as a “no-brainer” fit for a team with championship aspirations. During the 2024-25 campaign, Beasley’s 41.6% accuracy from beyond the arc and his ability to provide instant offense off the bench made him an attractive target. However, the Lakers’ cap situation is tight, and any deal would require creative maneuvering—potentially involving young players or future second-round picks heading to Detroit.
For Beasley, a move to Los Angeles would offer several career-defining perks: a clear role as the Lakers’ primary perimeter shooter, a shot at deep playoff runs, and the kind of market exposure that can elevate a player’s brand. But questions linger. His past includes a guilty plea for threats of violence in 2020, resulting in an NBA suspension, and teams remain wary of his streaky shooting and defensive lapses. The Lakers themselves passed on picking up his contract option in a previous stint, citing similar concerns.
As the NBA offseason barrels toward training camp, Beasley’s situation remains one of the league’s most compelling stories. The Pistons, Nets, and Lakers each have reasons to make a play for his services, but cap constraints, roster needs, and reputational risks all factor into the calculus. What’s certain is that Beasley’s elite shooting—on par with the NBA’s very best—makes him a difference-maker wherever he lands.
With his legal troubles behind him and a career-best season in the rearview mirror, Malik Beasley stands at a crossroads. Whether he returns to Detroit, dons Brooklyn black, or heads west to Los Angeles, his next destination could tip the balance of power for a franchise aiming to make noise in the 2025-26 NBA season. The only thing left to do is watch and wait as the market reopens for one of basketball’s most intriguing free agents.
