The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks have been lurking around the free-agent market, reportedly some of the teams that have “checked in” on Malik Beasley. On paper, it sounds like a fun idea. Beasley is a proven shooter; he’d add depth, and he could easily become one of the first names off the Cavs’ or Knicks’ bench. But here’s the catch: both Cleveland and New York can only offer him the veteran minimum. And that’s where the story gets messy.
According to FearTheSword, remember that three-year, $42 million deal Malik Beasley reportedly had with the Detroit Pistons? Yeah, that blew up in his face after he was targeted in a federal gambling investigation. That investigation has since been dropped, but the money vanished with it. Now, Beasley is a free agent who reportedly owes around $8 million in unpaid loans and bills. To make matters even more awkward, he’s also behind on more than $21,000 in rent to a Detroit property owned by none other than Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s company. Talk about drama. NBA fans on X even “thought he was getting suspended.”
If you’re Beasley, you’re looking at two things: money and opportunity. He needs a contract now, but he also has to think about the next one. At 27, this isn’t about hanging around for veteran vibes; it’s about rebuilding his value. And while the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are in the mix, the situation isn’t exactly tilting in their favor.
Malik Beasley Has Options in Free Agency
Even though it’s late in the summer, there are still 17 teams with the financial flexibility to offer Beasley more than the minimum $3.3 million. If one of those teams decides to step up with even the taxpayer mid-level exception, Beasley probably jumps at it. Why wouldn’t he? Take the bigger bag, showcase yourself, and either cash in next summer or get bought out and finish the year on a contender. Win-win. But let’s play along and assume no team wants to go above the minimum. Now it’s Cleveland vs. New York.
From a purely basketball perspective, the New York Knicks offer Malik Beasley a way smoother path. Their guard/wing rotation is Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Miles McBride, and Landry Shamet. Respectfully, that’s not exactly a lineup that locks Beasley out of minutes. He could walk into New York and carve out a real role right away.
Cleveland? That’s a different story. The Cavs are loaded with guys who live in Beasley’s space on the floor. Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill are all best suited at shooting guard. Add in De’Andre Hunter at small forward, and you’re looking at a very crowded rotation. Yes, Beasley could play the three even though he’s just 6’4”, but let’s be real, he’d be splitting minutes with a whole bunch of players who do similar things. That’s not exactly the cleanest way to rebuild your value.
Malik Beasley to New York?
Of course, the Cavs would love to have him. A bench group featuring Malik Beasley’s scoring punch could be a nightmare for opposing second units. And if Mitchell ever misses time, Beasley becomes even more valuable. But from Beasley’s perspective? This doesn’t scream “best place to bounce back.”
At the end of the day, this feels like one of those “never say never” situations. Yes, it’s possible. But between the New York Knicks’ clearer playing time, the potential for a bigger offer from one of those 17 teams, and the whole awkward rent situation with Dan Gilbert’s company, the Cavaliers don’t seem like the most realistic landing spot for Malik Beasley. Fun to think about? Absolutely. Likely to happen? Not so much.
