Former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley is no longer a target of a federal gambling investigation, per Shams Charania. This likely clears the path for Beasley, who remains a free agent, to return to the league. Many people are expecting him to return to the Detroit Pistons, who have kept an open roster spot. While a reunion with the Timberwolves could also possibly be in the cards, Minnesota should avoid this possibility.
Breaking: Malik Beasley is no longer a target of the federal gambling investigation conducted by the Eastern District of New York, his attorneys Steve Haney and Mike Schachter told ESPN. This potentially reopens free agency for one of the NBA's top shooters. pic.twitter.com/elbC09hprW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 22, 2025
Undoubtedly, Beasley is a talented player and one of the league's best shooters. He is coming off a career season where he averaged 16.3 points and ranked second behind Anthony Edwards in made 3s en route to finishing second in Sixth Man of the Year voting. However, there are still concerns with Beasley even after being cleared of this gambling investigation. Notably, Beasley reportedly owed $8 million in debt. On top of this, his skill set overlaps with existing Timberwolves players, specifically Donte DiVincenzo.
Beasley doesn't fit with Minnesota's roster or culture
All signs point to the Wolves signing Bones Hyland to round out their roster. However, after this Beasley development and the fact that he could be available for cheap, some people could connect the dots for a Beasley-Wolves reunion. Beasley spent two and a half seasons with the Wolves, averaging 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 41.9/38.9/82.1 shooting splits. He was a part of the Rudy Gobert trade in the 2022 offseason.
Having another off-guard is primarily a microwave scorer, which doesn't really make sense for the Wolves. In addition to his overlapping skill set with DiVincenzo, signing Beasley would hinder the growth of the Wolves' young talent. Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaylen Clark are all poised for bigger roles. The upside of these young players shouldn't be ignored. Given the Wolves' offseason approach, it feels like they believe in these three players.
The Wolves have a deep rotation and feel primed to round out their roster with a depth piece, as evidenced by their connection to Hyland. While Beasley is highly talented, it doesn't mean he's the right fit for Minnesota.
This, paired with his debt and character concerns that came out during his gambling probes, makes Beasley an illogical target for the Wolves. Chris Finch has built an incredible culture, and Beasley simply isn't the right fit.
Ultimately, Beasley is an ultra-talented player who will likely get another shot in the NBA. However, it shouldn't and likely won't be with the Timberwolves.