NBA Rumors: Malik Beasley, Pistons Agree to 1-Year, $6M-Plus Contract in Free Agency
July 6, 2024
Malik Beasley's time with the Milwaukee Bucks is over after one season.
The starting guard agreed to a one-year, $6 million-plus contract with the Detroit Pistons, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Beasley made 79 appearances with the Bucks as he averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 2023-24.
He shot a career-high 41.3 percent from deep while attempting 6.9 three-pointers per game.
Beasley's catch-and-shoot offense helped space out the floor for Bucks stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The guard went through a three-point shooting slump later in the season, however, and at times struggled defensively while forming a backcourt duo with with Damian Lillard.
His production also decreased during the first round of the Bucks' playoff run, as he averaged 8.8 points and 2.5 rebounds through six games before Milwaukee's elimination at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.
Beasley still shot over 40 percent from behind the arc during the postseason, earning the three-point threat a raise over the $2.7 million veteran's minimum contract he signed with Milwaukee last offseason and potentially pricing him out of the Bucks' budget.
With Beasley gone, the Bucks may give more time to Andre Jackson Jr. this season.
Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick, played limited minutes off the bench while at times filling in for Beasley last season.
Even if the Pistons decide to rely on another guard to be their primary perimeter defender, Beasley's quick-shooting success with the Bucks shows he can provide a boost to the Detroit offense from deep.
The Pistons have had an interesting offseason by agreeing to a trade with the Dallas Mavericks for Tim Hardaway Jr. and agreeing to a two-year contract with Tobias Harris in free agency.
None of these moves will be enough to close the gap for the Pistons, coming off a 14-win season, to be a playoff contender. But they should be much better, particularly on offense, than they were in 2023-24 when they had the fourth-worst offensive rating in the league.