The Eastern Conference is incredibly wide open next season, with no team standing out as the clear favorite right now. A player capable of giving one of these teams a boost is Malik Beasley, the former Milwaukee Bucks wing who was recently cleared of being a target in a federal gambling investigation. Now eligible to sign anywhere, Beasley's choice could have major implications for the conference.
Beasley could be a difference-maker for several squads
Since being cleared, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are two teams that reportedly expressed interest in signing Beasley, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The Detroit Pistons, who employed Beasley last season, also cannot be ruled out of the running. Those are three quality teams that will challenge the Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference crown next season.
Beasley is the type of player who could be a second-unit needle-tipper for a contender. Last season, he averaged 16.3 points while shooting a blistering 41.6 percent from long range on 9.3 attempts per game. Whichever team gets his signature will land one of the most productive reserves in the NBA, strengthening their bench mightily.
Before Milwaukee Bucks fans begin theorizing, a return to the 414 is likely out of the cards for Beasley this summer. Milwaukee's roster is currently stuffed, as they don't have more room. The front office is also seemingly all-in on the sharpshooting tandem of AJ Green and Gary Trent Jr., and Beasley might look to go somewhere where he can earn clear-cut playing time.
Beasley will also almost certainly be looking for more money than the Milwaukee Bucks can offer, especially with the three-year $42 million deal he was set to earn before the gambling investigation began was yanked off the table. There are plenty of teams out there who can offer more money than the strapped for cash Bucks.
It's likely that one of Milwaukee's most formidable competitors will employ last year's Sixth Man of the Year runner-up in 2025-26. The Milwaukee Bucks may be up to something, but it likely has nothing to do with bringing back Malik Beasley.
During his lone season with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023-24, Beasley averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting 41.3 percent from distance. He was a nice piece, but Milwaukee asked him to play far too prominent of a role defensively, which bogged down his production on offense. He didn't have that burden in Detroit, which is why he took off.
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