Malik Beasley is arguably the best available NBA free agent, proving himself last year in a key role as a bench shooter for the Detroit Pistons. He can space the floor as well as almost anyone in the league. However, non-basketball factors make it unclear whether he will return to the NBA this season—leading him to sign with the Bad Bunny’s Santurce Crabbers in Puerto Rico (buyout eligibility TBD).
Other interesting G League performers to keep an eye on include David Roddy, Chris Youngblood, Skal Labissiere, Jules Bernard, Charles Bassey, Lawson Lovering, Kadary Richmond, Damion Baugh, Chris Livingston, and many others.
Some were recently cut, such as Orlando Robinson, Javonte Cooke, Buddy Boeheim, Dario Šarić, Malaki Branham, Nikola Đurišić, Georges Niang, and Dante Exum. However, Exum is out with an injury (Niang is closer to health)—other veterans like Ben Simmons, Alec Burks, Garrison Mathews, James Wiseman, Dennis Smith Jr., and Cody Martin have yet to surface (or are trying to work their way back through the G League). Some have recently signed 10-day contracts and could be returning to free agency shortly, including Mo Bamba, Rayan Rupert, Killian Hayes and Grant Nelson.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.