The Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly eyed Milwaukee Bucks free agent shooting guard Malik Beasley, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.
“The Detroit Pistons have also expressed interest in Beasley and have flirted with offering the 27-year-old guard a one-year deal,” Scotto wrote. “However, Detroit has held off for now amid trade discussions with other teams to act as a salary dump destination for draft pick compensation, league sources told HoopsHype.
“Lastly, the New Orleans Pelicans are interested in signing Beasley to stretch the floor around Zion Williamson, league sources told HoopsHype. The Pelicans are also eying a trade for a center while clearing some salary off their books.”
Beasley, who just finished his eighth season in the league, averaged 11.3 points per game last season while shooting an efficient 41.3 percent from deep.
The eighth-year player is coming off a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Bucks and could be a valuable addition to several teams, especially those looking to add a three-point specialist.
The Pistons need all the help they can get after their worst season in franchise history a year ago, and that help could come from adding a veteran like Beasley. While he likely won’t be the difference in making or missing the playoffs, he could at least offer some veteran guidance to a group of young players.
But the more enticing option for Beasley would likely be joining the Pelicans, who are seemingly on their way to being perennial playoff contenders after reaching the postseason for a second time in three years last season.
One of New Orleans’ biggest issues in the playoffs—aside from being without star Zion Williamson—was its three-point shooting. The Pelicans shot just 26.7 percent from deep in their first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder and had no true option to look to on the wing.
After shooting a career-high from range last year, Beasley could come in and give New Orleans a major boost as it looks to compete past the first round of the playoffs.
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