On August 24, 2025, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers checked in on free agent guard Malik Beasley. Scotto added that Knicks executive Gersson Rosas, who signed Beasley to a four-year, $60 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020, is now in New York’s front office. Both teams have only minimum contracts to offer, and Scotto confirmed that Beasley is no longer a target of a federal investigation.
Beasley played all 82 games for the Detroit Pistons in 2024–25, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 43.0 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three-point range. He set a franchise record with 319 made three-pointers and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. According to Polymarket Hoops, Beasley tied Anthony Edwards with 305 made threes and finished ahead of Stephen Curry, who had 302. On March 8, 2025, at Chase Center in San Francisco, Beasley signaled for a shot clock violation during a Pistons–Warriors game, and it was photographed by David Gonzales for Imagn Images.
- Beasley averaged 16.3 points and made 319 three-pointers in 82 games for Detroit in 2024–25.
- The Knicks and Cavaliers are interested but limited to minimum contracts, while other teams can offer far more.
- A federal gambling investigation disrupted his free agency, though he is no longer a target.
Previous Knicks Efforts to Acquire Beasley
The Knicks considered acquiring Beasley in 2020, but the Timberwolves retained him. In 2023, New York held trade discussions with the Utah Jazz regarding Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt in a package for Evan Fournier, though no trade was completed.
Contract Talks Halted by Federal Probe
Beasley initially had a three-year, $42 million deal with Detroit at the start of free agency, but the agreement collapsed when he became connected to a federal gambling investigation.
On August 22, 2025, Beasley’s attorney Steve Haney said, “Months after this investigation commenced, Malik remains uncharged and is not the target of this investigation. An allegation with no charge, indictment, or conviction should never have the catastrophic consequence this has caused Malik. This has literally been the opposite of the presumption of innocence.”
Court documents showed a $5.8 million judgment against Beasley from a lender lawsuit, and he was also sued by a former agent for breach of contract.
Sportsbooks Adjust Knicks’ Futures
At BetMGM, the Knicks opened at +900 to win the NBA title and later improved to +750. At FanDuel, their title odds are +850, and at ESPN BET, they are +800. For the Eastern Conference, FanDuel lists New York at +280 and ESPN BET lists them at +270.
FanDuel also sets the Knicks’ win total at 53.5 games with the over -112 and under -118, their Atlantic Division odds at -280, and playoff qualification odds at -7000.
New York’s betting line moved following coaching changes. The Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau on June 3, 2025, and hired Mike Brown on July 7, 2025. Sportsbooks noted the title odds moved from +1400 on May 13, 2025, to +800 on June 3, 2025.
League injuries also influenced the market. Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles tendon on June 23, 2025, and is expected to miss the season. Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon in the playoffs and was reported in August to be out of a walking boot and continuing rehabilitation.
There are no individual odds or props listed for Beasley while he remains a free agent.
Teams With Greater Spending Power Than the Knicks
On August 22, 2025, Keith Smith of Spotrac reported that several teams could offer Beasley more than Detroit’s $7.2 million non-Bird rights contract. Teams listed were the Brooklyn Nets ($15 million in cap space), the Charlotte Hornets ($14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception), the Chicago Bulls ($14.1 million NTMLE), the Washington Wizards ($14.1 million NTMLE), the Indiana Pacers ($13.5 million NTMLE), the Oklahoma City Thunder ($8.5 million midlevel exception), the Miami Heat ($7.3 million midlevel exception), and the Sacramento Kings ($7.3 million midlevel exception). Smith also stated that the Golden State Warriors could enter the pursuit but face complications due to Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agent status and multiple open roster spots.
The Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025 for the first time in 25 years. Their roster includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby. They signed Guerschon Yabusele using their midlevel exception and currently have space for one veteran and one rookie to sign standard contracts, as well as three available two-way slots. Reports also linked the team to Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Ben Simmons, though information about Simmons was described as conflicting.
