As of now, free agent guard Malik Beasley is no longer the target of a federal gambling investigation.
Beasley was reportedly in talks to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons on a three-year, $42 million deal before news of the investigation came to light, but Detroit then took that offer off the table.
Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly are one of two teams that have checked in on the 28-year-old, who remains a free agent.
The Knicks and Cavaliers have checked in on Malik Beasley, sources told @hoopshype. Knicks executive Gersson Rosas signed Beasley to a four-year, $60M deal with the Timberwolves. Knicks and Cavs have minimum deals to offer. Beasley is no longer a target of a federal investigation
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 24, 2025
At least on paper, Beasley would make for an excellent Ty Jerome replacement. Jerome was arguably Cleveland’s best reserve player from last season, and he left the team this summer to sign with the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency.
Beasley was a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award along with Jerome a season ago, and he has the skill set to make up for Jerome’s departure from a scoring standpoint.
Like Jerome, Beasley is an elite 3-point shooter, as he shot 41.6 percent from deep on 9.3 attempts per contest in the 2024-25 season. He also averaged a whopping 16.3 points per contest in primarily a bench role and is accustomed to playing the role of a super sub.
It seemingly would be a no-brainer move for the Cavaliers to ink Beasley to a minimum deal if he’s interested in such a partnership, but at the same time, it seems as if Cleveland has competition for his services in the form of the New York Knicks.
The Knicks stand out as an appealing landing spot for Beasley as well, as they project to be another team with a real puncher’s chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.
It’s possible Beasley will ultimately land with the Cavaliers and help the team in its pursuit of the 2026 title. Cleveland is looking to win a championship for the first time in a decade, as it last climbed the league’s mountaintop back in the year 2016, when forward LeBron James was still on the team.