Former Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley may have finally found a landing spot following the drama of a prolonged free agency since news of a gambling investigation came out this summer.
Beasley, 29, is in advanced talks with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia for a rest-of-season contract to compete overseas, according to a report from Dusan Markovic of Nova.rs.
The deal is reportedly worth $2 million and would not include an NBA opt-out clause.
Beasley is coming off a huge season with the Pistons, averaging 16.3 points on 41.6% shooting from beyond the arc and amassing the second-most threes in the NBA. He finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting while playing a key role in Detroit’s run to the playoffs.
The Pistons were prepared to bring Beasley back on a three-year, $42 million contract, but just before free agency officially began, news of a federal investigation on NBA gambling allegations with Beasley a person of interest paused talks and left Beasley in limbo.
The Pistons moved forward with other free agents while Beasley has remained, for the most part, in Detroit trying to ready himself for another opportunity.
While the federal investigation has led to dozens of arrests, including former Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, across two sets of indictments, Beasley has yet to be charged with anything.
He’s been adamant on social media about getting back on the court again. Beasley said last month that if he were returning to the NBA this season, it’d be with the Pistons due to his strong ties.
A 19-5 start for the East-leading Pistons may have played a part in Beasley now looking to Europe to get back to competition.
Detroit currently has all 15 roster spots filled and are heavily linked to some major trades around the league as their potential as a playoff threat is building in Year 2 under coach J.B. Bickerstaff.