The Detroit Pistons still have two NBA regular season roster spots open and may be keeping that flexibility to see what happens with Malik Beasley.
Beasley is currently under investigation for gambling, which cost him a chance at a reported three year/$42 million contract with the Pistons this summer. There was strong mutual interest, but the Pistons had to pivot when they were informed of the gambling probe.
That interest still seems to be there, at least from Beasley, who expressed confidence that he’ll be playing at some point next season, though no team is going to go near him until this gambling investigation plays out and he is cleared.
The Pistons got Beasley for just $6 million last season, and he was 2nd in the league in 3-point makes, the unquestioned steal of the offseason, and they could look to do it again if he is cleared and returns to the NBA at some point next season.
Where does Malik Beasley fit in with the new look Detroit Pistons?
There are a lot of “ifs” involved in a Beasley reunion with Detroit and the team may have no interest in bringing him back even if he is fully cleared of gambling allegations.
There is also a question of fit now that they have moved on with Duncan Robinson and Caris LeVert, but as a team that has long been starved for 3-point shooting, they can really never have too much.
We also have no idea when (or if) Beasley would return should he be cleared, and a lot can change between now and then when it comes to injury and performance.
Even if the current roster were at full strength and playing well, Beasley could potentially slide into a bench unit with Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland and Isaiah Stewart, giving the Pistons a dynamic bench with a lot of scoring, defense and ways for JB Bickerstaff to mix and match players.
It’s all just speculation at this point, as Beasley has a long road ahead of him when it comes to a return, as these investigations can be painfully slow and the outcome may not go in his favor.
But there is a world in which Beasley returns to Detroit, as they not only have the roster spot for him but are sitting on a $14.3 million TPE they can use to sign players. It’s a long shot, but I wouldn’t rule it out.