The Detroit Pistons made a second signing in 2024 NBA free agency under new president Trajan Langdon by signing Malik Beasley to a one-year, $6 million-plus contract. his agency confirmed Saturday morning.
Beasley, 27, shot 41.3 percent from three-point range last season, or 6.9 attempts per game, while starting 77 of Milwaukee’s 79 games after signing for the veteran minimum. He participated in the NBA All-Star three-point contest. He made 224 of 542 three-point attempts, his third straight season with at least 224 three-pointers.
His 224 three-pointers made ranked 11th in the NBA last season, and his 2.8 made field goals per game ranked 15th.
Beasley, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound small forward, averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 29.6 minutes per game last season.
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The one-year deal means playoff contenders in need of a shot could look favorably on the contract and engage the Pistons before the February trade deadline — assuming Beasley is healthy and performing.
Beasley was Denver’s 19th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Florida State, and has also played with Minnesota, Utah and the LA Lakers. He shot 38.5 percent from three-point range in eight seasons.
Beasley becomes the third sharpshooter the Pistons have added this offseason to back up point guard Cade Cunningham, after acquiring Tim Hardaway Jr. in a pay cut from Dallas and signing forward Tobias Harris to a two-year, $52 million deal.
The Pistons were one of the worst teams in the NBA in 3-point shooting last season, ranking 29th in shots made per game (11), 27th in attempts (31.7) and 26th in accuracy (34.8 percent).
The Pistons entered Saturday with about $25 million in cap space, plus the $8 million exception to use if they fill the rest of their cap. They also have Bird rights to sign restricted free agent forward Simone Fontecchio, meaning they can go over the cap to re-sign him once they use up their cap space.
The Pistons entered free agency Sunday night with about $51 million in cap space, the second-most in the NBA behind the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers reached an agreement Monday night on a four-year, $212 million max contract with Paul George, giving the Pistons the most money to spend until Harris is signed.
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Last week, the Pistons had a busy week in free agency. On Sunday morning, they reached an agreement with J.B. Bickerstaff to become the franchise’s new head coach. Then on Sunday night, the Free Press confirmed that the Pistons intend to sign Cunningham to a $226 million max extension. That may not become official until noon Saturday.
The Pistons returned from the NBA draft last week with forwards Ron Holland and Bobi Klintman.
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