It’s very rare that one of the NBA’s Best Shooters is out on the open market, but that is the case with former Detroit Pistons Guard Malik Beasley. The Lakers are looking to both compete for a championship with LeBron James, and build towards the future with Luka Doncic, and adding Beasley potentially accomplishes both.
Elite Shooting That Lakers Desperately Need
Last season with the Detroit Pistons, Malik Beasley delivered one of the most efficient shooting campaigns in recent memory:
He played all 82 games and averaged 16.3 points per game, while setting a franchise record with 319 made three-pointers. His three-point percentage hovered around 41.6%-42%, placing him in rarefied territory: he became only the third player in NBA history to make over 300 threes while shooting at least 40% from deep.
Basketball analysts highlighted just how elite his corner shooting was. As one fan quoted Zach Lowe on Reddit put it: “Only Steph Curry has shot over 42% from deep while attempting at least 11 per 36 minutes. Beasley is on pace to become the second.”
His scoring punch off the bench didn’t go unnoticed: Beasley finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting, narrowly missing the award. For a Lakers squad searching for perimeter shooting and bench scoring, Beasley is undeniably appealing.
Malik Beasley Betting Controversy
That said, Beasley’s recent legal woes cloud his free agency:
He’s under federal investigation for unusual betting patterns tied to his statistical props during the 2023‑24 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. A sportsbook flagged suspicious heavy action on Beasley’s rebounds prop in a January 31 game; yet, he easily cleared the number with six boards.
His attorneys have confirmed he is no longer the target of the probe, but he remains a “subject,” meaning he’s still under scrutiny. No criminal charges have been filed. His legal team laments the damage caused by these allegations, particularly the collapse of a near three-year, $42 million contract with the Pistons. To add to the complexity, he’s also facing a civil lawsuit from a former marketing agency seeking repayment of a $650,000 advance and alleging breach of contract.
The Lakers (and any team) would have to weigh the optics of signing a player still tangled in unresolved legal and reputational issues, even if the accusations remain unproven.
Final Take: Should the Lakers Roll the Dice?
Beasley’s elite three-point shooting, scoring off the bench, and his ability to make big plays in key moments make him a potentially transformative fit for the Lakers.
The unresolved federal investigation and pending civil lawsuit present both reputational and legal risks. Even though there’s been no charge, the “cloud” hanging over him could be enough to give teams pause.
If the Lakers believe in due process, and see an opportunity to add a high-impact shooter at a reasonable cost, they may take a calculated chance.
