The Boston Celtics enter this offseason in a rare position navigating roster upheaval while Jayson Tatum works his way back from injury. With their superstar sidelined and the lineup in flux, the focus has shifted to how Boston can remain in contention.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg recently assembled a panel to discuss possible moves, and analyst Adam Hart floated an intriguing option: targeting free agent Malik Beasley on a short-term “prove-it” deal.
Beasley could be an ideal fit. The 28-year-old quietly excelled in Detroit last season, averaging 16.3 points per game while connecting on 41.6% of his threes across more than nine attempts per contest. That blend of accuracy and volume is exactly what top-tier teams need. Pairing Beasley with Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and newcomer Anfernee Simons would give Boston another elite perimeter weapon. With Jaylen Brown shouldering more of the offense in Tatum’s absence, Beasley’s floor-spacing ability could prove critical, particularly off the bench.
The challenge, however, lies in the finances. Boston’s realistic offer would be limited to the veteran minimum or a short contract a significant drop from the three-year, $42 million deal Beasley once seemed poised to sign with Detroit before off-court issues halted talks. Even now, Detroit remains his best chance at a long-term payday, while other suitors like Brooklyn and Indiana can present stronger financial packages. According to Shams Charania, multiple teams remain in the mix for Beasley, which complicates Boston’s chances.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1958865527230603398?t=nbIdQqQvX17uSB6OMKX0Pw&s=19
Unless Beasley accepts less money for the opportunity to chase a championship, the Celtics are unlikely to land him. Instead, the team may lean on its youth, giving players like Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez larger roles. That approach may not provide the immediate spark Beasley could deliver, but it keeps Boston aligned with its long-term development plan as Tatum recovers.
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