The Oklahoma City Thunder may be considering a significant move this offseason after Malik Beasley was cleared of a federal gambling investigation last Friday. With Beasley now free to negotiate with teams, the Thunder could be in the mix to add the sharpshooting guard as they prepare to build on their recent <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA championship success. The Malik Beasley OKC Thunder connection could provide an intriguing option as they look to strengthen their roster heading into next season.
Only two months removed from winning their first NBA title by defeating the Indiana Pacers in a dramatic Game 7, the Thunder have mostly remained quiet during the offseason. Their core group from the championship run returns intact, positioning Oklahoma City as a strong title favorite once again. Adding a player like Beasley could provide additional firepower before the season begins in October.
Teams Able to Offer More Than Detroit Pistons
Beasley’s clearance comes after a period where teams hesitated to engage with him due to the ongoing investigation, leaving his free agency status uncertain. Spotrac analyst Keith Smith recently highlighted which teams have the financial capacity to offer Beasley a contract exceeding the $7.2 million offered by the Detroit Pistons, the team he played for last season.
“Here are the teams that could offer Malik Beasley more than the $7.2M DET can offer using his Non-Bird rights: BKN: $15M in cap space CHA: $14.1M NTMLE CHI: $14.1M NTMLE IND: $13.5M of NTMLE MIA: $7.3M of NTMLE OKC: $8.5M of NTMLE SAC: $7.3M of NTMLE WAS: $14.1M NTMLE GSW could…” —Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA)
Among these, the Thunder still have $8.5 million in mid-level exception space, giving them flexibility to pursue Beasley if they decide to prioritize adding his scoring ability. While they may not be the team offering the highest dollar value, Oklahoma City’s championship prospects could be a stronger draw for Beasley than a bigger paycheck elsewhere.
Fit and Challenges For Beasley in Oklahoma City
Although Oklahoma City seems positioned to compete again at a high level, roster construction remains a hurdle. The team already carries 15 players on standard contracts for next season, which means acquiring Beasley would require moving a player, possibly someone like Ousmane Dieng. This suggests a strategic gamble for the Thunder’s management.
On the court, Beasley offers strengths and weaknesses to consider. Last season, he ranked second in the entire NBA for total three-pointers made, sinking 319 treys at a career-best 41.6% accuracy on 9.3 attempts per game. However, his playoff three-point percentage fell to 33.9%, despite maintaining nearly 10 attempts per night through six postseason games.
The Thunder’s decision may hinge on whether they believe Beasley can shore up his defensive consistency. During his full season contribution with the Pistons, the team finished 11th in defensive rating, indicating that his defense, while not flawless, did not heavily damage team performance. Joining Oklahoma City’s strong defensive unit could mitigate those concerns and allow Beasley to thrive.
Offensive Upside to Complement Thunder’s Core
Beasley’s offensive game could add important scoring depth to a Thunder roster that struggled with three-point shooting during their championship run, hitting just 33.8% from beyond the arc. In Oklahoma City, Beasley’s role might come with fewer shot attempts, potentially increasing efficiency alongside stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
His average of 16.3 points per game last season and reliable perimeter shooting would give the Thunder more offensive spacing and scoring options, especially valuable when managing player minutes or handling injuries. The presence of shooters like Isaiah Joe in the regular rotation further emphasizes how Beasley could seamlessly integrate and enhance Oklahoma City’s offensive scheme.
Looking Ahead: Weighing the Risk and Reward
As the Thunder prepare for next season, the possibility of bringing Malik Beasley into the fold represents a calculated risk. They must balance roster adjustments and defensive considerations with the significant offensive boost he can provide. For Beasley, joining a championship-caliber team like Oklahoma City could revitalize his career after a rocky free agency period affected by off-court issues.
If the Thunder act decisively to sign Beasley, they could bolster their title defense chances by adding one of the league’s most prolific perimeter shooters to their lineup. Moving forward, monitoring how the Thunder manage their roster and whether Beasley accepts a potentially smaller contract for championship contention will be key storylines before the new NBA season tips off in October.