Knicks Could Land Malik Beasley with Bold Starting Lineup Promise
The New York Knicks may have a chance to pull off one of the shrewdest signings of the offseason. If they truly want to separate themselves from Malik Beasley’s other free-agency suitors, the path forward is simple: offer him a starting job.
It’s a bold strategy, but one that could pay off in a big way.
Knicks Face an Uphill Battle Financially
Beasley, 28, is now free to explore opportunities after being cleared from a federal gambling investigation, and the list of interested teams is long. The Knicks are among them, but their biggest obstacle is financial.
New York can only extend a veteran’s minimum contract, while nine other franchises have the flexibility to pay Beasley significantly more. The Detroit Pistons—his most recent team—can offer up to $7.2 million, far beyond what the Knicks can match.
On paper, New York cannot compete with those financial packages. But logistically, the Knicks can offer something money can’t buy: the guarantee of a starting role on a title contender.
A Flexible Knicks Lineup Creates Opportunity
At first glance, promising Beasley a starter’s spot might sound too aggressive. But the Knicks’ rotation isn’t locked into one formula.
This summer, there’s been internal discussion about whether to lean on Mitchell Robinson or Josh Hart in the opening lineup. The team is open to multiple configurations, even ones featuring Deuce McBride.
Sliding Beasley into the starting five would push Hart, Robinson, and McBride into reserve roles. That might not be an issue, considering at least two of them will be coming off the bench anyway. With Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson also joining the fold, New York’s depth would remain among the best in the league.
The Defensive Tradeoff
Of course, adding Beasley to the starting five raises questions on the defensive end. While he has shown flashes of improvement in recent years, Hart, McBride, and Robinson are far stronger defenders.
But the Knicks can manage this. By staggering rotations and leaning on their defensive stoppers at key stretches, New York can mitigate concerns. The tradeoff is more than worth it when considering Beasley’s offensive firepower.
Pairing him with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns would create a lineup with nearly unstoppable spacing. It would be five-out basketball at its peak. Over the last five seasons, only Stephen Curry has made more threes than Beasley while maintaining a shooting percentage north of 39%.
Knicks Offer What Others Can’t
Among the nine teams capable of offering Beasley more than $7 million, few are in a position to guarantee him a starting spot.
- The Pistons used him primarily off the bench.
- The Pacers already committed to Bennedict Mathurin at shooting guard.
- The Heat will not start him over Tyler Herro or Norman Powell.
- The Kings have Zach LaVine entrenched as a starter.
- The Thunder may not even have regular rotation minutes available.
Meanwhile, rebuilding franchises like the Hornets, Nets, and Wizards have little incentive to promise Beasley a prominent role. The only possible exception is the Bulls, but their path doesn’t come close to New York’s championship aspirations.
