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Detroit Pistons
New York Knicks
Aug 26, 2025 11:57 AM EDT
The New York Knicks have slowly and methodically built themselves up to being championship contenders after years of dormancy at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. That patience and persistence finally paid off last season, resulting in the team’s first conference finals appearance in over 20 years.
But the Knicks have now backed themselves into a corner with some of the questionable decisions they’ve made this offseason and look to be one wrong step away from implosion. After making the stunning decision to trade away five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges last season, they were forced to double down and offer him a massive four-year extension worth $150 million.
New York now finds themselves restricted financially, so it seemed like a gift from the skies when it was reported that free agent guard Malik Beasley was no longer the target of a federal gambling investigation. With mostly every team’s salary well being dried up, the Knicks were in prime position to sign him, but they may not get the chance after this latest report.
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Beasley’s free agent market began sizzling when news broke that he was no longer the target of the investigation, but teams will have no choice but to hold off and wait for confirmation that the former Detroit Piston wasn’t involved. This is disappointing news for New York, who desperately needs another guard off the bench alongside Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride.
There is almost nobody of significance left on the market besides Beasley, so now the Knicks must either leave this glaring hole on their roster unattended, or scramble for other options. The team has been rumored to be in the Ben Simmons market for months, so it may be wise for them to pivot back to the veteran point guard.
If for nothing else, New York needs another guard to take some pressure off the starting lineup, but mainly Jalen Brunson, who former head coach Tom Thibodeau stretched thin every night with his tight rotations. Beasley would have been the perfect catch-and-shoot option to slide into a team with an unprecedented arsenal of switchable wings.
Now, the Knicks will need to get creative if they want to solve their lingering backup guard issue.
About the Author
Paul White