Malik Beasley’s NBA journey has taken its fair share of twists and turns, but as of August 22, 2025, the veteran sharpshooter finds himself back in the spotlight for all the right reasons. Cleared from a months-long federal gambling investigation, Beasley is once again a hot commodity on the free-agent market, and teams across the league are weighing whether to add one of the game’s most prolific three-point shooters to their roster.
It wasn’t long ago that Beasley’s career prospects seemed in jeopardy. The federal probe, which began in June and centered on suspicious betting activity during his 2023-24 stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, cast a shadow over what had been a career renaissance. According to his attorney Steve Haney, “Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation. 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.” ESPN’s Shams Charania confirmed that Beasley is “no longer a target in a federal investigation into suspicious betting activity related to his prop bets.”
The investigation’s focal point was a January 31, 2024, matchup between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers. Oddsmakers noticed a sudden surge in bets on Beasley recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds, causing the odds to plummet from +120 to -250. When the dust settled, Beasley had pulled down six boards, far exceeding the line and raising eyebrows in the gambling world. Yet, after months of scrutiny, authorities found no wrongdoing, and Beasley walked away with his name cleared—but not without consequence.
Before the investigation, Beasley was on the verge of re-signing with the Detroit Pistons for a three-year, $42 million deal—a contract that would have cemented his place with the team after a breakout season. The Pistons, eager to avoid controversy, abruptly pulled the offer and pivoted to sign Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, rapidly filling the wing positions that Beasley had made his own. Detroit also brought in Javonte Green, further crowding the rotation. As a result, the lucrative contract Beasley once hoped for vanished overnight.
Despite the setback, Beasley’s value hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 28-year-old guard is coming off a stellar campaign with Detroit, where he played all 82 games—starting 18 of them—and averaged 16.3 points per game. He shot a career-best 41.6% from three-point range, draining a whopping 309 triples on 9.3 attempts per night. His performance not only helped the Pistons to a 44–38 record—their best in nearly a decade—but also propelled them to their first playoff win since 2008, as they pushed the New York Knicks to six games in the opening round. Beasley chipped in 14 points per game during that series and finished as runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, just behind Boston’s Payton Pritchard.
With his exoneration, Beasley’s free agency market is heating up once again. The Pistons, who still hold his non-Bird rights, can offer a maximum starting salary of $7.2 million for the upcoming season. ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks outlined the situation: “The Detroit Pistons still hold Malik Beasley’s Non-Bird rights as an unrestricted free agent. Detroit can offer Beasley a contract starting at $7.2 million.” The team remains just over $21 million under the luxury tax, with one open roster spot left. While the Pistons’ recent signings have added depth, there’s still a sense that a reunion with Beasley is possible, if not probable.
Beasley himself appears open to a return. Earlier this month, he told his Snapchat followers, “To either come back to the Pistons, or like I said, there are some other teams interested as well,” when asked about his plans for the coming season. He’s also been seen wearing Pistons gear during workouts, a subtle but telling sign that he harbors no ill will toward the franchise that once courted him so aggressively. The Pistons’ front office, led by Trajan Langdon, is reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation, weighing the benefits of continuity against the realities of their salary structure and recent acquisitions.
But Detroit isn’t the only team in the mix. The Brooklyn Nets, flush with cap space, could offer Beasley a contract similar to the one he lost in Detroit, though there’s a risk he could be used as a trade asset. The Indiana Pacers, in need of outside shooting following Tyrese Haliburton’s injury, have the full mid-level exception available and could make a competitive bid. The Chicago Bulls, still searching for perimeter firepower and yet to sign Josh Giddey, might view Beasley as the missing piece to boost their Eastern Conference ambitions.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have maintained interest in Beasley since their playoff clash with Detroit. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, “The New York Knicks have kept close tabs on him since the Knicks’ first-round playoff bout with the Pistons.” The Knicks have already added Jordan Clarkson and used their taxpayer mid-level exception on Guerschon Yabusele, limiting their financial flexibility, but a veteran’s minimum deal could appeal to Beasley if he prioritizes a title run. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off their first NBA championship, are another intriguing option. While playing time might be limited on a deep and youthful roster, Beasley’s veteran presence and elite shooting could make him a valuable addition for a team with championship aspirations.
Other teams reportedly monitoring Beasley’s situation include the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, both of whom could offer contracts in the same range as Detroit, though their intentions might lean toward using Beasley as a trade asset rather than a foundational piece.
For Beasley, the next step is as much about fit and opportunity as it is about dollars. After nine seasons with stops in Denver, Minnesota, Utah, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, and Detroit, he’s proven his worth as one of the league’s most reliable floor spacers. Whether he returns to the Pistons, joins a contender like the Knicks or Thunder, or takes a “prove it” deal elsewhere, Beasley’s future is once again in his own hands.
With the federal investigation now firmly in the rearview mirror, Malik Beasley stands at the crossroads of his NBA career, armed with a clean slate and a skill set every contender craves. As teams finalize their rosters for the 2025-26 season, the basketball world waits to see where one of the game’s top shooters will land—and whether his next chapter will be written in Pistons blue or somewhere new.
