Malik Beasley swaps NBA hardwood for Puerto Rican sunshine in shock move
Former Atlanta Hawks guard Malik Beasley, who hasn't played in the NBA since his Detroit Pistons stint in 2024/25, is taking his talents to Puerto Rico at age 29.
The NBA’s revolving door spins again as Malik Beasley packs his bags for Puerto Rico, leaving behind a career that promised more than it delivered.
Unfulfilled potential
The Georgia-born guard, who turns 30 this November, never quite reached the stellar heights his talent suggested. Despite a decent career with its fair share of ups and downs, Beasley struggled to cement himself as a key player at most of his NBA stops.
His journey through the association reads like a proper basketball nomad’s tale:
- Started with Denver Nuggets, bouncing between the main squad and their development team
- Finally established himself in his third season (2018/19), averaging over 11 points
- Found his best form with Minnesota Timberwolves, where he peaked with impressive scoring averages of 20.7 and 19.2 points in his first 18 months
- Performance dipped dramatically in his third Wolves season
- Embarked on a journeyman phase through Utah, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Detroit
- Managed to average double-digit scoring (10+ PPG) during his final NBA stint with the Pistons
Trouble off the court
Beasley’s career has been as eventful off the hardwood as on it, and that’s putting it mildly. The bloke’s had more drama than an EastEnders Christmas special.
His rap sheet includes:
- December 2020 arrest for marijuana possession and making threats, resulting in 120 days of community service and strict probation terms
- August 2025 eviction from his apartment after accumulating $21,500 in unpaid rent
- Most seriously, an investigation into alleged involvement in a sports betting scandal during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks
Regarding the betting allegations, his lawyer announced in late August that Beasley had been cleared of all charges and was no longer under investigation.
Now approaching 30, Beasley will look to rebuild his career in Puerto Rico, away from the NBA spotlight where he never quite found his bread and butter.