An Eastern conference rivalry that has spanned decades, the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks will leap on any opportunity to get one over on one another -- a statement that has already been confirmed this offseason as Guerschon Yabusele put pen to paper on a two-year $12 million deal in the 'Big Apple'.
However, with the radio silence surrounding the Sixers' priority target, Quentin Grimes, there is one sharpshooting guard who remains a free agent that could prove to be an astute addition to Philadelphia's roster -- at the expense of the Knicks.
Malik Beasley is weighing his next move
After a stunning year with the Detroit Pistons -- contributing heavily to their first playoff appearance since 2019 -- Malik Beasley has yet to decide where his future will lie for the upcoming NBA season after being cleared of accusations that he had been gambling on NBA games and prop bets during the 2023/24 season.
Beasley left Detroit fans purring at the nature of his elite scoring performances during the previous campaign, scoring 16.3 points while draining a highly efficient 41.6% of his shots from three-point range.
With the Knicks reportedly interested in the 28-year-old, it may be considered a tough proposition for the 76ers to acquire Beasley ahead of a franchise that is currently in a championship window with phenomenal talent such as Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns on the roster.
Nevertheless, even with the catastrophic implosion of the Sixers' 2024/25 season, the 'City of Brotherly Love' still possesses an outstanding set of players on its payroll, and Beasley could elevate a former Most Improved Player's performances to the next level.
76ers star Tyrese Maxey could benefit from an efficient partner
During the long-winded absence of the 2023 Most Valuable Player, Joel Embiid, Maxey has not just had to shoulder the burden of being a leader on the court, but has had to become the primary scorer of a struggling Sixers team -- a role that returned mixed results.
Maxey did record a career-high year in scoring (26.3 points per game), which would suggest that he thrived in the gaping void that Embiid left, yet there were moments during the season that the pressure of being Philadelphia's talisman affected the 24-year-old's performances and decision-making.
After an initial settling-in period, Maxey became a devastating offensive option for head coach Nick Nurse and displayed attributes of a player that could lead a contending franchise in the future, but this will not be possible without a partner who has shown they can remain injury-free for a large portion of the schedule -- while also contributing to a winning team.
Malik Beasley has showcased in his time in Detroit that his presence on the court can have a positive effect on not only his team but also specific players. Cade Cunningham was magnificent for the Pistons, especially with Beasley creating space on the floor for him to work his magic and instinctively draining spot-up three-point attempts from the corner
This would be an ambitious move from the 76ers after general manager Daryl Morey had committed much of the offseason to pursuing Quentin Grimes. Still, Beasley could be a more effective and experienced option from the bench.
Even so, the real question may be whether the Sixers need any more depth in the guard position. Has Morey wasted precious time and resources when other positions should have been prioritized?