Malik Beasley Approaches Contract with Partizan Belgrade

Free agent swingman Malik Beasley is reportedly in advanced negotiations for a contract with Partizan Belgrade that would cover the remainder of the season. According to Dusan Markovic of Nova.rs, the deal is projected to be worth approximately $2 million and notably will not include an NBA opt-out clause.

Beasley, 29, had a standout season with the Detroit Pistons, participating in all 82 games and achieving one of the best performances of his career. He averaged 16.3 points per game while shooting a career-high 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. His impressive contributions on the court earned him recognition as a runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Prior to the summer, the Pistons had engaged in discussions regarding a lucrative three-year, $42 million contract with Beasley. However, those talks fell through following the revelation that he was under federal investigation for potential illegal betting activities. The inquiry, initiated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in June 2023, coincided with the onset of free agency, leaving Beasley in a state of uncertainty regarding his NBA career.

While he was not named in the October indictments related to the gambling cases that involved Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat and Chauncey Billups, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Beasley has yet to receive clearance from federal investigators or the NBA, which is conducting its own review. This lack of resolution has impeded his ability to secure a deal within the NBA.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his status, European and Chinese teams have expressed significant interest in Beasley, as reported by Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. Both the Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers are monitoring the situation closely.

Partizan Belgrade competes in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague and has previously featured notable former NBA players, including Shake Milton and Jabari Parker. Currently, the team holds a record of 5–9 in EuroLeague play, indicating a challenging start to their season.

With negotiations progressing, Beasley may soon find a new opportunity to showcase his talent abroad, should the deal with Partizan Belgrade be finalized.