Malik Beasley could have been cashed in for future assets at the trade deadline. The veteran wing, who is on a one-year, $6MM bargain deal, has been highly productive for the surprising Pistons, including on Friday when he exploded for a career-high 36 points against Philadelphia.
However, Beasley specifically asked not to dealt and general manager Trajan Langdon obliged, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.
“He came to me a couple of weeks ago and said ‘Please don’t trade me, I want to be here,” Langdon said. “Which means a lot. In the summer when we talked about players we were going after and players we wanted to roster, we wanted guys who want to be here. He’s a guy who has said from day one he wants to be in Detroit and has continued to echo that, and with his actions and play has shown that.”
Beasley has indicated he plans to re-sign with the club when he enters free agency this summer. He’s ineligible to sign an extension prior to free agency.
“To be able to talk to your GM is huge, to have that relationship,” Beasley said. “I think he knew that I wanted to stay but he wasn’t sure, because a lot of players come in and still want to leave. But I told him from the jump I want to be here, I want to help build this organization up, I want to be a vet and do everything I can to score, and just get some wins. I’m happy to be here, I want to continue to stay here and let’s keep it going.”
We have more from the Central Division:
- The Pacers made only one minor move before the trade deadline, dealing away injured center James Wiseman and cash to Toronto for a top-55 protected draft pick. Coach Rick Carlisle is pleased there wasn’t a midseason roster shakeup, he told Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “I’m absolutely not surprised,” he said. “The organization believes in this group. The coaching staff believes in this group. The players have shown a strong belief in each other.”
- Kyle Kuzma, who won a championship with the Lakers, is happy to be back in a winning organization after being dealt from the rebuilding Wizards to the Bucks. “It’s been four years. It feels a long time,” Kuzma said, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “But I was in a different space when I went to Washington. I already won a championship, so when I came to Washington it was like all right, let me find myself, let me find my game, let me see how good I can be, let me see what I can get better at. And I did that. And now I’m back in a situation to win, and that’s what it’s about. Obviously, I’ve been licking my chops for an opportunity to compete at a high level.”
- The Bucks also acquired center Jericho Sims and Kevin Porter Jr. prior to the deadline. Coach Doc Rivers commented on both players and Nehm relays that Sims could play a key role as a reserve big man. “I didn’t know that we needed a stretch big. I’ll take the size and the ability to roll and run the floor,” Rivers said. “Rollers are invaluable in our league. He’s one of them. He gets behind the defense. He’s as athletic as anyone in the league. I think he’s a fantastic fit.”
Thats a great statement/perspective from Beasley, he has been hooping this season.
“Malik Beasley … explored for a career-high 36 points against Philadelphia.”
Interesting typo. :) It works, though!
Hah, that was my fault when I was rewording that sentence. It’s been fixed!
Malik Beasley proved to be one of the best signings last summer. Props to Langdon and Bickerstaff Jr for getting the best out of his abilities. No brainer for an extension.
Though I wonder if the team would have still made the Grimes & a 2nd for Hardaway Jr trade had they known Beasley would work out so well, hindsight is always twenty twenty–and Grimes has his own issues, with stuff coming out about him not being the most coachable or team-first of guys.
It was hard not to be a little wary of the Langdon hire considering the last decade of DET basketball, I think Trajan has won over a good number of Pistons fans