The Detroit Pistons are coming off one of their better seasons in recent memory. They improved by a substantial 30 wins after finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference the year prior. With a 44-38 record, they qualified for the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019.
There were many reasons for their turnaround, starting with the play of their star guard Cade Cunningham. He appeared in 70 games, the most of his career and many of his stats improved. He went from averaging 22.7 points per game in 2023-24 to 26.1 this season, and averaged a career-high 9.1 assists. He was nominated for the Most Improved Player award, but the honors went to Atlanta Hawks' Dyson Daniels.
Pistons have "significant mutual interest" in making big offseason move for free agent sharpshooter
Another player who contributed to the Pistons' success was Malik Beasley. He averaged 16.3 points per game and shot a career-high 41.6% from 3-point land. As a result, he was nominated for the Sixth Man of the Year award, but the award went to Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.
Forbes NBA writer Evan Sidery provided an update on Beasley, who is an unrestricted free agent.
"There is significant mutual interest between the Pistons and Malik Beasley on a new contract entering unrestricted free agency," Sidery wrote.
While the Pistons went on to lose their first-round series against the New York Knicks 4-2, that year marked the first time since 2008 that the Pistons won a playoff game. If they want this to become a regular occurrence and not prove to be a comet of a season, they'll need to make the right moves in free agency.
In addition to Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder are also set to become free agents. With the development of Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey's return, and the team likely wanting 2024 first-round pick Ron Holland to see minutes, Beasley is likely the best bet of the three free agents to be brought back.
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