Pistons Sharpshooter as Good as Gone in the Offseason

The Detroit Pistons exceeded all expectations throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, and their journey finally came to an end with an opening-round loss to the New York Knicks. While being eliminated from the playoffs isn't fun, Pistons fans can rest easy knowing the future of basketball in the Motor City has never been brighter.

Now that their postseason is over, the Pistons can focus on their offseason needs. It won't be long before free agency begins, and the president of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon will be forced to make decisions on several expiring contracts, including one for a veteran who's likely leaving Detroit this summer.

Pistons Must Part Ways With Malik Beasley This Offseason

Of the Pistons' current pending unrestricted free agents, there's a good chance that Malik Beasley won't be back for the 2025-26 NBA season.

After spending eight previous seasons with five different franchises, Beasley joined the Pistons on a one-year, $6 million contract for the 2024-25 campaign. The former Florida State Seminole ended up providing some serious juice to Detroit's bench, averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 41.6% on a career-high 9.3 three-point attempts in 82 games (18 starts).

Unfortunately, Beasley didn't come close to looking like that same player in the playoffs.

In his six postseason appearances, the 28-year-old guard only shot 37.3% from the floor and 33.9% from the field while averaging 14.0 points per outing. His defense was also a concern as he carried a negative plus/minus rating in four of those playoff outings, which the Pistons went 1-3 in.

The moment that sealed Beasley's fate came late in Game 6. With less than six seconds remaining on the clock and down by three points, the Pistons tried to get the ball to their best three-point shooter. Rather than coming up with a clutch moment, Beasley fumbled Cade Cunningham's pass, turning the ball back over to the Knicks with 0.4 seconds remaining.

Beasley was great during the regular season while also being a big part of the locker room's positive vibes, but that doesn't guarantee him a spot on next year's roster. History has proven that Atlanta native isn't a playoff performer, and the Pistons are better off replacing him with a veteran shooter who won't disappear in the spring.

Besides, the Pistons will likely be fine without his locker room presence. Although he'd be missed, it'd be obvious that there are serious issues with the team's make-up if the chemistry plummets simply because Beasley leaves town this summer.

Unless free agency, the trade market, and the 2025 NBA draft are completely devoid of viable replacements, don't expect to see Beasley in the Pistons' 2025-26 opening night lineup.