The pressure was suffocating. Six games into the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks found themselves staring at elimination against the Indiana Pacers. Their first conference finals appearance in 25 years was about to end, and everyone in Madison Square Garden knew why: when the starters sat, the offense disappeared.
That glaring weakness might finally have a solution in the form of a 16.3-point-per-game sharpshooter with something to prove.
Why Is Malik Beasley the Answer to New York’s Bench Scoring Crisis?
The numbers tell a brutal story. The Knicks averaged just 21.7 bench points per game during the 2024-25 regular season, dead last in the NBA. When their second unit took the floor, opposing teams knew they could breathe easier. No true scorer emerged from that group, leaving the starters to carry an impossible load that eventually caught up with them against Indiana.
According to The People’s Insider Jake Fischer, the Knicks have quietly maintained interest in Malik Beasley throughout the offseason. With three open roster spots, New York has explored various options, from veterans like Ben Simmons and Malcolm Brogdon to role players such as Landry Shamet. However, Beasley has emerged as the most intriguing possibility:
“The Knicks, meanwhile, have three open roster spaces and have been mentioned as a possible home for Ben Simmons or Brogdon as well as Landry Shamet. Yet New York has also been cited by SNY’s Ian Begley as a team that could pursue Malik Beasley after ESPN reported Friday that Beasley is no longer the target of a federal gambling investigation.”
The timing couldn’t be better for both sides. Beasley was on the verge of signing a three-year, $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons before a federal gambling investigation derailed his free agency. That investigation, which centered on unusual betting activity regarding his rebound prop line of under 2.5 rebounds in a Milwaukee Bucks game from January 2024, kept him in limbo for months.
Now, with his attorneys Steve Haney and Mike Schachter confirming to ESPN that he’s no longer a target of the probe, Beasley has shifted focus back to basketball. The chip on his shoulder is evident. Earlier this month, he broke his silence in a Snapchat video, declaring, “I got a chip on my shoulder. I’m ready to destroy anybody in front of me. I’m ready to prove again that I belong in this league.”
How Would Beasley Transform the Knicks’ Second Unit?
New York’s head coach, Mike Brown, has clarified his priorities: more pace, better spacing. Beasley’s skill set directly addresses both areas. The veteran guard shot 41.6% from three-point range in 2024-25, building on his career mark of 39.1% from beyond the arc. Those numbers represent exactly what the Knicks’ bench desperately needs.
Picture Beasley running with the second unit alongside Miles McBride. Suddenly, opposing defenses face a legitimate threat to score from anywhere on the court. When Josh Hart and OG Anunoby stagger their minutes with the bench, Beasley’s floor spacing creates driving lanes that didn’t exist before. The ripple effect extends to Jalen Brunson, whose playmaking burden decreases when teammates can consistently knock down open shots.
This isn’t about landing a headline-grabbing superstar. Beasley represents the type of calculated addition that pushes championship contenders over the finish line. The Knicks have moved beyond simply making the playoffs. They’re building a roster capable of competing for titles, and bench scoring was the most obvious missing piece after their Eastern Conference Finals exit.
For Beasley, New York offers the perfect stage to rebuild his reputation. A motivated scorer with championship aspirations joining a team that desperately needs his specific skill set creates a scenario where both sides benefit. After months of uncertainty, he can finally focus on what he does best: putting the ball in the basket when his team needs it most.