Central Notes: Beasley, Bell, Vucevic, Lillard

If the Pistons decide to deal Malik Beasley this season, he’s done nothing but enhance his value with his sharp start. Playing on a one-year, $6MM contract he signed as a free agent, Beasley is averaging 15.4 points in 28.8 minutes per game while shooting 39.3 percent beyond the arc.

“He’s made everybody’s job easier,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told Omari Sankofa of the Detroit Free Press. “When he provides that space and guys have to account for him, defenses have to shift.  He’s been tremendous not just in his shot making, I don’t want to just limit him to that. His spirit, his energy, his leadership and then his commitment on the defensive end has been great as well. He’s one of those guys that’s been invaluable to this group because he helps them in so many different ways.”

We have more from the Central Division:

• Jordan Bell, who was playing for the Pacers’ G League team, will miss the rest of the season due to a left knee injury that will require surgery, Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star tweets. Bell was injured on Friday while playing for the Indiana Mad Ants. Bell also spent part of the last two seasons with the Mad Ants. He was the 38th overall pick in the 2017 draft, playing the first two seasons of his career with the Warriors and winning a championship with them in 2018.
• Nikola Vucevic has gotten off to a strong start. The Bulls center is averaging 20.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists, including a season-high 29 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in a win at Detroit on Monday. “He looks like an All-Star,” point guard Josh Giddey told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “He’s been playing unbelievable for us. He’s carrying such a heavy load offensively, and he’s being asked to do a lot. He’s doing that at a very high level, night in and night out. There aren’t many off-nights for Vooch. He’s a true professional and he’s been doing this for a long time. He understands the right way to play. Very fun guy to play with for me. He’s a threat from behind the arc, plays in the pocket, very cerebral player.” Vucevic is in the middle year of a team-friendly three-year, $60MM contract, which could make him a target at the trade deadline.
• Damian Lillard missed three games after entering concussion protocol. The Bucks star guard struggled in his return on Monday but made the game-winning layup against the Rockets, Eric Nehm of The Athletic notes. Lillard made just 6-of-18 shots for 18 points, but he still managed to dish out 10 assists. “I think he’s one of the best to ever do it — like finishing the game — and as a leader, you gotta give (him the ball),” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “It’s easy for me to say I have the ball and go all the way, but at the end of the day, I’m a leader that wants to win. … Dame is a great closer. So you gotta find Dame and you gotta put the ball in his hand for him to make a decision.”