Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots as Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) defends during the fourth quarter at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
In the 2023 free agency period, the Milwaukee Bucks sought to beef up their outside shooting. The team shot a mediocre 37 percent from three against the Miami Heat last offseason, and Jon Horst has an affinity for players who can space the floor.
This is where the signing for Malik Beasley comes into play because, already losing Joe Ingles and Jevon Carter in free agency, Jon Horst had to operate quickly to sign Beasley, a talented 3-and-D guy.
This season, Beasley is shooting a career-high 46 percent from three and has filled in nicely as the team’s fifth starter.
On Friday, Beasley spoke with TNT’s Chris Haynes and said he had offers from these two teams, but Jon Horst promised him these two things.
Milwaukee Bucks star Malik Beasley spoke about what pushed him to sign with Milwaukee.
Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Beasley has been having a career year with the Milwaukee Bucks this season and is considered the x-factor for the championship-contending Bucks. Beasley spoke about the free agency process and what made him want to sign in Milwaukee. (Via Bleacher Report)
“Free agency was tough for me, in a couple of ways. I didn’t know where I wanted to be and what type of deal I wanted to do because of my production. I wasn’t in the best position leverage team wise.”
“The Lakers wanted to re-sign me on a smaller deal, for about $6 million I could gotten more if I would have stayed….”Also Dallas Mavericks I had a chance with Dallas they were offering about 3 to 6 (million) around that range.”
Beasley on why he ended up not signing with the Los Angeles or Dallas
“But with the Lakers, there was a lot of unknown, with Austin Reaves signing again, I had to be smart about that, about playing time and what my role would be. With Dallas, obviously you got a lot of primary ball handlers and shooters on that team, so I kinda scoped it out.”
Beasley on why he signed in Milwaukee
“Milwaukee was in the mix, and Jon (Horst) is such a great person, you know we talk a lot. He was like you have an opportunity to start here and you have chance to win a championship and I think for me most importantly some veterans are on my team.
Dec 19, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
For the Milwaukee Bucks. Beasley has taken on the role of Jrue Holiday from last season. Beasley is tasked with guarding the other team’s best player, and while he’s not a carbon copy of Jrue Holiday defensively, this is the first year in his NBA career in which he’s had to do this.
Beasley’s time in Milwaukee could be a one-year prove-it deal, as he told Haynes he was willing to take a short-term deal before finding a more lucrative offer elsewhere. But in the first few months of the season, Beasley has impacted both ends of the floor and has played a massive role in the team’s success this season.
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Corey Moen is a writer for Wisconsin Sports Heroics. He is a 2021 graduate of UW-Whitewater with a degree in Electronic Media and a minor in Journalism.
Outside of Wisconsin Sports Heroics, he works at a news station as a Digital Content Producer.
