Malik Beasley was close to securing a long-term contract with the Detroit Pistons after he had spent each season since 2022-23 with a new team. He signed a one-year, six-million deal with the Pistons last summer, and outplayed that by a wide margin. Fans were excited about having him stay in Detroit, but then the news dropped.
The 28-year-old guard is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for a federal gambling probe. He went from being on track to sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons to his future in the NBA in danger. It's doubtful that Beasley will return to the Pistons, period. The latest jersey change confirms that.
Ron Holland II (@ron2kholland) is switching from No. 00 to No. 5 for the #Pistons. Number last worn by Malik Beasley in 2025. #NBA pic.twitter.com/JrKL3L9V3U
— Etienne Catalan (@EtienneCatalan) July 8, 2025
Ron Holland, who had an impressive rookie campaign with the Pistons in 2024-25, will wear No. 5 next season. That number would've stayed with Beasley if he signed a new deal.
Ron Holland will begin wearing No. 5 next season for the Pistons
Beasley is being investigated for gambling related to NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season when he was with the Bucks. ESPN reported that a sportsbook "detected unusually heavy betting interest on Beasley's statistics beginning around January 2024." Beasley's time in the NBA could be over if he's found guilty, as the league banned Jontay Porter last year after it was discovered that he provided information to bettors and gambled on games.
Beasley ended the 2024-25 season on a high, or at least, it seemed that way. He averaged a career-high 16.3 points on 43% shooting from the field and 41.6% from three. He played all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career, starting in 18 contests.
His off-court life has been a subject of significant concern, dating back to his time in Minnesota. No longer having him on the Pistons, regardless of what happens, is for the best.
Detroit has made several moves this offseason, getting Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert, while losing Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr. The Pistons entered the offseason knowing they wouldn't make major headlines after finishing the 2024-25 season as the No. 6 seed in the East. What they didn't realize is that they wouldn't re-sign Beasley, but losing him won't break what Detroit is building.