Finally, the Pistons get a free agent signing right, and now we can’t let Malik Beasley ever leave.

This Pistons team has heart, energy, and identity. There’s been a bunch of guys responsible for this. But one that deserves extra credit is Malik Beasley. From his microwave-like ability to heat up from Steph Curry/Dame Lillard range, to his shimmy after nailing a three, Beas brings the fucking heat. Which is why I’m confident that we need to keep him in Detroit for as long as possible. 

Looking just at his numbers this year, we should give him the keys to the city. This season, Malik is putting up career highs in 3PT% (42%), 3PT Attempts (9.5), eFG% (59%), and steals (1.0). Outside of those career highs, he’s having his best points per game and second best 2PT% since 2019 at 16.7 and 49% respectively.

Just to dive into the numbers a tiny bit more, Malik has the second most three pointers made this season at 235, he broke the Pistons three pointers made in a season record, and is currently one of two players to ever average over 42% from three on 9+ attempts, the other being Steph Curry five different times. 

On top of his incredible play, Beas has something else that warrants a lifetime contract. He has passion for this city and the people of Detroit. We are slowly seeing more and more players come here and not want to leave, shoutout Jack Flaherty, and Beasley is one of them. His mom is from Detroit so he has family ties, but he has adhered to the fans of Detroit so well too. He connects with the city, and 100% wants to be here, which is an intangible thing that not a ton of players have. You can’t teach that. 

To be realistic for a second, it would be normal to expect a slight regression from Malik next year. He’s posting record numbers this season in terms of the NBA, but is also crushing his personal stats. His career 11.5 points on 39% 3PT shooting is being well surpassed this year, so a regression may come. And that’s okay. The swagger he brings alone is worth a contract. And even if he does regress to his career 3PT percentage, 39% still spaces the floor extremely well for Cade and company. 

He obviously won’t get a lifetime contract, but Langdon needs to make it a point to keep Beasley around as long as possible. The fans want it, the players want it, and most importantly, it seems that Beas wants it. He’s a shoo in for Sixth Man of the Year, move over Peyton Prichard, and is the greatest Pistons free agent signing in franchise history. I was only half joking when I said give him the keys to the city. Get the paperwork done.