Malik Beasley: If I return, I want it to be with Pistons

Malik Beasley says if he gets cleared and makes it back to the NBA, he wants it to be with the Pistons.

“If I do go back to the NBA, it’s gonna be with the Pistons,” Beasley said, via Pistons Talk. “I haven’t signed anything yet, but I have my strongest ties there.

“I had my best season there last year, and hopefully I can fit back in with the team.”

That matches what he said right after Detroit was knocked out by the Knicks — that he’d love another run. Not just because of the basketball, but because Detroit is his mom’s hometown. He grew up there in the summers.

The Pistons originally planned to keep him. They were lining up a three-year, $42 million offer. Then reports surfaced that Beasley was under federal investigation tied to gambling.

Detroit pivoted. They signed Caris LeVert. They brought in Duncan Robinson via sign-and-trade. Everything changed.

Beasley’s camp maintains the interest in a return is real. Detroit still holds his Non-Bird rights — meaning they could bring him back for up to about $7.2 million. Over four years, that would total roughly $31 million.

A far cry from the original expectation — but still a lane if the potential legal situation clears.