It's been almost three weeks since the Detroit Pistons were eliminated from the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, and the early exit is still as fresh as ever. The Pistons' 44-win regular season is certainly worth being proud of; however, the six-game playoff loss to the New York Knicks has left Detroit's front office needing to make some offseason upgrades.
If the Pistons want to bring in new faces to bolster the roster, they're going to have to kick some familiar names to the curb. Several Detroit veterans will become unrestricted free agents this summer, including one fan favorite who likely won't return to the Motor City.
Pistons Guard Malik Beasley Won't Be Back This Offseason
Veteran guard Malik Beasley is one of the handful of pending UFAs the Pistons must address this summer. While a chunk of the fanbase would love to see the ex-2016 first-rounder re-signed, there's a good chance he'll be playing elsewhere come October.
After spending the first eight seasons of his career with five franchises, Beasley joined the Pistons on a one-year, $6 million contract last July. He went on to play all 82 regular-season games while starting 18 times, resulting in his averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 43.0% from the floor and 41.6% from deep.
Unfortunately, that's where the good vibes end. Beasley was largely invisible during the Pistons' brief postseason run outside of his 20-point performances in Games 1 and 6. Although he still put up a respectable 14.0 PPG, the former Florida State Seminole's efficiency fell off a cliff, finishing the series with a 37.3 FG% and 33.9 3P%.
While Beasley is beloved in the locker room and among fans, the Pistons need a backup shooting guard who consistently shows up. Beasley is capable of being that guy in the regular season, but his playoff performance shows he struggles to step up when it matters the most.
Considering how three of the Pistons' losses to the Knicks were by one possession, it isn't hard to argue that the former could've advanced to Round 2 had Beasley shot the ball better.
The Pistons likely wouldn't have made the playoffs without him, but that doesn't change how all players eventually stop being useful at some point. Although his career isn't close to being over, Beasley will likely be forced to continue it outside of the Motor City next season.