Pistons Pivot Amid Malik Beasley Gambling Probe; Eyeing Caris LeVert, Others

The Detroit Pistons’ offseason plans are shifting amid complications surrounding free agent guard Malik Beasley, whose talks with the team have stalled due to an ongoing federal investigation and a separate legal issue.

Detroit had been in serious discussions to re-sign Beasley on a three-year, $42 million deal — but according to a report from Grant Afseth of RG.org, those talks have lost steam as Beasley becomes entangled in a probe by the U.S. District Attorney’s office related to alleged gambling activity. He is also facing a lawsuit from former agent Daniel Hazan tied to a marketing advance.

Beasley was one of the league’s top 3-point shooters off the bench last season and had been viewed as a key part of Detroit’s future. But with uncertainty surrounding his availability and image, the Pistons are weighing their options.

One of those options involves forward Simone Fontecchio, who is entering the final year of his deal at $8.3 million. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pistons are gauging trade interest in Fontecchio. Moving him, along with the potential departures of Dennis Schroder and Tim Hardaway Jr., could give Detroit up to $24 million in cap space.

That cap room would allow the team to pursue free agents Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Caris LeVert, both of whom are on the Pistons’ radar. Alexander-Walker, currently with the Timberwolves, is also being pursued by the Hawks and is expected to command offers in the mid-level exception range or higher.

Afseth reports that Atlanta is the favorite to sign Alexander-Walker, while the Pistons have emerged as the front-runner to land LeVert.

The Hawks are also interested in keeping LeVert, sources told Hoops Wire, but face a numbers crunch. Atlanta is one of several teams monitoring Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard as a fallback option.

As for the Pistons, there may be a comfort level with LeVert given his history with president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon. The two crossed paths in Brooklyn, where Langdon served as assistant GM when the Nets selected LeVert in the 2016 NBA Draft.

LeVert also played for current Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff when the two were together in Cleveland.

Whether it’s LeVert, Alexander-Walker or both, Detroit appears to be heading in a different direction. And for now, Beasley seemingly is not under consideration.