All Pistons

9-Year NBA Vet Makes Statement on Pistons Going Winless With Awards

The Detroit Pistons have come up empty-handed. Malik Beasley has something to say about that.
Justin Grasso|
May 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a three point basket in the first half against the New York Knicks during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 1, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a three point basket in the first half against the New York Knicks during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

In this story:

Detroit Pistons

History was made by the Detroit Pistons in 2024-2025. Their turnaround from a 14-68 season to winning over 40 games was one of the most impressive situations from this season. While the Pistons’ success led to plenty of NBA award nominations, they have nothing to show for in the end.

The nine-year NBA veteran Malik Beasley took to social media to make a statement on his team going winless in the awards game this year.

via @mbeasy5: 3 finalist .. no winners .. yup Detroit vs everybody 🤷🏽‍♂️

Beasley was among those up for an award this year. The veteran sharpshooter was in the running for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

Playing in all 82 games for the first time in his career, Beasley came off the bench for all but 18 of those games. Throughout the season, Beasley averaged 16 points on 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

As impressive as Beasley was, he came up short, losing to Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.

Along with Beasley, the veteran guard Cade Cunningham was up for an award. As Cunningham went from a decent season to having an All-Star year, he was recognized as one of the league’s most improved. Ultimately, Atlanta Hawks veteran Dyson Daniels took home that award, with Cunningham finishing third.

Earlier this week, Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff landed the second-most amount of points for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. His former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, landed the award as Kenny Atkinson’s squad picked up the first seed in the Eastern Conference with over 60 wins.

After Beasley’s statement, the Pistons found out they would be going 0-4 this year. Although the team’s President of Basketball Operations, Trajan Langdon, was in the running for the Executive of the Year award, he fell behind Cleveland’s Koby Altman and OKC’s Sam Presti.

More Pistons on SI

Published
Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

Share on XFollow JGrasso_
Home/News