Pistons, Timberwolves Among Teams Interested In Malik Beasley

The Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves have “recently touched base” on Malik Beasley, joining the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers as interested teams, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Beasley’s situation is complicated. While ESPN reported last Friday that the 28-year-old is no longer a target in a federal gambling investigation, he’s still considered a subject of the probe. So he’s not completely in the clear yet.

This wouldn’t be Beasley’s first stint with the Timberwolves. He spent nearly three seasons in Minnesota from 2020-22 before being shipped to Utah as part of the blockbuster Rudy Gobert trade.

His time with the Wolves was pretty productive. Beasley averaged 15.1 points across 130 games while shooting a solid 38.9% from downtown.

Minnesota currently has 13 players under contract and sits about $5.9 million below the second tax apron. This means they could offer Beasley more than just a minimum contract using their taxpayer mid-level exception.

The Pistons might have an edge, though.

Detroit still holds Beasley’s Non-Bird rights, allowing them to offer up to $7.2 million for his first year. But it’s not clear how interested they really are in bringing him back.

The Pistons have already added Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson this summer, potentially crowding their wing rotation.

Several teams could actually outbid both Detroit and Minnesota if they wanted to.

“Teams that have an exception to sign Beasley to a contract greater than $7.2 million include the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards. The Brooklyn Nets also have cap space in excess of more than $20 million,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported.

The Pistons and Beasley almost completed a three-year, $42 million deal earlier this summer. That offer was pulled when the team learned about the federal investigation.

He had previously signed a one-year, $6 million contract with Detroit last July.

Beasley had a career year in Detroit

Beasley was outstanding for the Pistons last season, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He didn’t miss a single game, appearing in all 82 contests while starting 18 of them.

The Florida State product put up career numbers, averaging 16.3 points in 27.8 minutes per game. He shot a career-best 41.6% from three-point range.

His three-point shooting was historic for the franchise. Beasley knocked down 319 triples, the most in a single season in Pistons history and second in the entire NBA behind only Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.

He showed just how explosive he could be in a February game against Philadelphia, when he erupted for a career-high 36 points, hitting 9 three-pointers in a Pistons victory.