The New York Knicks’ offseason has been about calculated moves and measured risk. The Knicks extended Mikal Bridges and signed Jordan Clarkson plus Guerschon Yabusele for depth. Veteran P.J. Tucker was added late last season after two 10-day stints. However, with training camp around the corner, there’s still one open roster spot. While the buzz has been around who might take that last seat on Mike Brown’s bench, a recent update from a plugged-in New York insider suggests the Knicks might be closer to a value signing than people realize.

And no, the Ben Simmons agenda is not being pushed once again. Instead, the Knicks have been linked to an even more controversial figure in Malik Beasley. The former Detroit Pistons star was the subject of a federal gambling investigation by the Eastern District of New York, which alleged he gambled on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 NBA season. However, he still finished second last season in the Sixth Man of the Year standings after averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game across 82 appearances.

On KnicksFanTV, SNY’s Ian Begley offered a compelling update. “I don’t know if I’m skipping ahead, but my mind goes to Malik Beasley, who may—does he get a minimum? At least that. Maybe he gets more, but to have him on a minimum deal… yeah. I mean, that’s crazy to have the guy who shot the lights out of the ball last year on a minimum deal. Whatever happens with him moving forward, if he doesn’t get suspended, if he remains on the court, it’s going to be the best contract in the NBA.”

Beasley also made 212 threes last season, a Pistons franchise record last season. And yet, he’s still unsigned. Begley added more insight on the Knicks’ internal stance, “I know the Knicks had been doing their homework on Beasley, but I think because of that uncertainty, I think it’s cooled a bit there with the Knicks and Beasley. Maybe they learn something else in the next two days where they say, ‘All right, he’s probably not going to be suspended, let’s get it done.’ But my most recent read there was that it had cooled a bit just because of the uncertainty. Some team’s going to sign him, and it’s going to be interesting to watch to see how it unfolds.” 

Beasley is no longer a target of the federal investigation tied to NBA prop bet gambling, according to his lawyers. His camp, led by attorney Steve Haney, has made it clear they’re cooperating fully, “They’re conducting an internal investigation, more of a misconduct investigation to make a determination if there are any rules that were violated through the collective bargaining agreement,” Haney told the Detroit Free Press. “That investigation is currently ongoing and we’re cooperating, providing whatever information we can to hopefully get Malik clear so he can resume his free agency.”

But the NBA’s internal investigation, focused on potential violations of the collective bargaining agreement, is ongoing. It’s a cloud that’s hung over Beasley’s offseason since just before free agency opened. The Detroit Pistons had offered Beasley a three-year, $42 million contract, but pulled it after being notified of the federal probe. Since then, teams have paused negotiations, waiting to see if a suspension looms. While no charges have been filed and Beasley has cooperated with both federal and NBA officials, the league has not issued a ruling. However, Begley’s update suggests that Beasley is eventually going to sign for an NBA team. 

With the Knicks looking to add a secondary scorer who can lead their bench unit, Beasley is one of the best options remaining on the market and not a single fan will doubt his quality. The problem are the off-court issues, but if the chances of a suspension are minimal, there might eventually break out a race for the 28-year-old’s signature.

Mike Brown gets a breather

The Knicks are currently hard-capped and limited to veteran minimum signings. They’ve used much of their financial flexibility and now face a decision on how to fill the final roster spot. Beasley, in theory, fits perfectly with high-volume shooting, catch-and-shoot excellence, and veteran experience. The off-court issues also means that he is likely to be available on a minimum contract after previously signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the Pistons.

Mike Brown has emphasized pace, off-ball movement, and creating catch-and-shoot looks an area where the Knicks underachieved under Thibodeau. Beasley would directly address that. Last season, he led the NBA in catch-and-shoot threes made. The Knicks finished 27th in attempts despite being top 10 in percentage.

A healthy Beasley on a minimum deal doesn’t just give Brown another weapon, but it would be a steal. And if the league clears him before camp, Beasley could fill that last spot without triggering cap complications. Brown can ease the rotation toward a shooter who fits his system without making any two-for-one trades or cutting into core depth.

Training camps open in just a few weeks. Beasley is in shape, available, and likely one phone call away from signing. According to multiple reports, teams like the Knicks, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Pistons have kept tabs. The Kings have also been floated as a fallback if Brown wants another scorer familiar with his principles. If the NBA wraps up its investigation soon and if Beasley avoids a suspension, whoever signs him might walk away with the best bargain in the league. For Mike Brown and the Knicks, the timing couldn’t be better.