Detroit Pistons NBA free agency 2025: Tracking latest rumors, updates

Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is under allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bet, the team confirmed Sunday, June 29.

"An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.”

Beasley and the Pistons, according to ESPN, were in serious talks on a new three-year, $42 million contract to bring the free agent back to Detroit, but now talks are on pause, and the investigation marks a serious development surrounding one of the NBA's top free agents.

The Pistons enter 2025 NBA free agency and the new league year with plenty to think about from a roster building standpoint.

Second-year president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon spoke Tuesday, June 24, messaging the team would like to bring back its key free agents to maintain continuity and "optionality."

The Pistons have five pending unrestricted free agents: Malik Beasley, Dennis Schröder, Tim Hardaway Jr., Paul Reed and Lindy Waters III.

They can operate as an over-the-cap team and retain the ability, and room under the tax, to re-sign multiple of those players.

Here are the latest Pistons NBA rumors and updates with free agency set to begin Monday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. Deals can become official July 6 at 12:01 p.m., when the NBA's free agency moratorium ends.

Zach Lowe: Pistons 'sneaky team to watch'

Lowe, the former ESPN analyst now with Bill Simmons' The Ringer, said on his show Saturday, June 28, the Pistons are a "sneaky team" due to their non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($14.1 million) and available minutes to hand out.

It's interesting, since in order to bring back Beasley, the Pistons would have to use the mid-level to re-sign him, since they can't pay him more than $7.2 million with non-Bird rights. Beasley, with all indications are that he will return, will get a bigger raise.

Lowe also mentioned the potential contract extension negotiations with Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.

Malik Beasley should be Pistons free agency priority

Beasley, 28, is the trickiest of the three biggest names, since the Pistons don't have his Bird rights after his one-year, $6 million contract expired. But they can offer him up to $14.1 million with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception (up to four years and $60.6 million).

Hardaway, 33, seems likely to be the cheapest despite starting all 83 games he appeared in with the Pistons last season. Ivey's return from injury will dimmish Hardaway's role, but the Pistons need shooting, which is why, in part, Beasley — who was second in the NBA last season with 319 3-pointers made — must be the priority, our columnist Shawn Windsor wrote Saturday, June 28.

The Pistons would have one roster spot open if they re-sign the key trio of free agents and if their second-round pick, Chaz Lanier, signs a standard contract. In a more unlikely move, the team could renounce the rights to all of their free agents and create $16.9 million in space to go after a floor-spacing big man.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes sense as Pistons target

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) backs towards the basket as Detroit Pistons forward Chimezie Metu (5) in the second half at Target Center in Minneapolis on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

According to The Stein Line's Jake Fischer, Alexander-Walker might be on the way out after the Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a new contract with center Naz Reid. The Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers have been identified as possible suitors for the veteran free agent guard, who is a pest defensively, similarly to Schröder.

If the Pistons and Schröder can't agree on a new deal, Alexander-Walker, who turns 27 before the season, makes sense. He shot 38.1% from 3-point range last season, and played in all 82 regular-season games for the second straight year.

Dennis Schröder free agency update

Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder drives to the basket on San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Brooklyn is the lone team with cap space right now. Unless another team dumps money to the Nets or pulls an unforeseen move, the Pistons will be able to offer Schröder, who turns 32 before the season, more money than the other 28 teams.

"The Pistons can offer Schröder a starting salary of up to $22.8 million," our Pistons beat writer Omari Sankofa II wrote. "The Nets are the only team with enough cap space to offer more than $14.1 million. Something to keep in mind with some of the rumors flying."

Marc Stein in his The Stein Line substack reported numerous teams are operating under the belief the Sacramento Kings have the best chance to sign Schröder. The Dallas Mavericks need a point guard with Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL suffered in March, but are seen as favorites to sign D'Angelo Russell.

Schröder was a priority for the Pistons at the trade deadline, with an eye on keeping him around after the season.

But the Kings lack a point guard and can offer him a starting role. The Pistons might not have even 25 minutes per game available for him.

Potential target Naz Reid re-signs with Timberwolves

Reid was a popular name floated by both fans and experts for the Pistons as a great fit due to his shooting as a big man (38.9% from 3-point range last season). But on Friday night, Reid reportedly agreed to a five-year, $125 million contract to return to Minnesota. The deal includes a player option, according to USA TODAY Sports. Reid, who turns 26 in August, averaged a career-high 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 80 games in 2024-25 (17 starts).

Amy Huschka contributed to this report.

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