Should Cavaliers pursue Malik Beasley?

The Cavaliers need shooting. And Malik Beasley can flat-out shoot.

Robert Watson III of SI.com floated the idea, and on paper, it makes sense. Beasley is coming off a career season with the Pistons in which he knocked down 319 threes.

That’s not just impressive — that’s historic. Only five players in NBA history have ever hit that many in a single season.

So why is Beasley still available? The NBA is investigating him for possible involvement in a gambling scandal. The timing couldn’t be worse for Beasley, who played his way into a payday on a one-year prove-it deal in Detroit. Instead, his value across the league has plummeted.

That could open the door for teams such as the Cavs, who have been linked to Beasley before. With Max Strus sidelined three to four months, the Cavs are suddenly desperate for wing shooting. Beasley could not only fill that void, but perhaps even provide an upgrade if his 2024-25 form holds.

He’s also comfortable coming off the bench, finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season. Slot him in with Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr. and Sam Merrill, and suddenly Cleveland’s second unit looks like it can hang with anyone, Watson wrote.

Of course, this all depends on what the league finds in its investigation. But if Beasley is cleared to play, it’s hard to find reasons for the Cavs at least not to consider such a move.

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