Malik Beasley has agreed to join the Santruce Crabbers, a basketball team based in Puerto Rico and owned by music star Bad Bunny, offering a potential pathway back to professional play. This development comes ahead of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) season starting in March 2026 and provides Beasley an opportunity to showcase his skills amid ongoing challenges surrounding his career.
Beasley’s move to Puerto Rico is significant given his current absence from the NBA while under investigation for alleged improper gambling related to the 2023-24 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Though he faces no charges and maintains his innocence through legal counsel, this situation has sidelined his NBA prospects for now.
Career Background and Performance Highlights
Drafted 19th overall in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, Beasley spent over three seasons with Denver, averaging 7.4 points per game. After a midseason trade in 2020, he joined the Minnesota Timberwolves where his scoring increased significantly, finishing the season with an average of 20.7 points per game. Most recently, he played for the Detroit Pistons, contributing 16.3 points per game and finishing as runner-up for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.
Unexpected News but Logical Move
The announcement of Beasley’s contract with Puerto Rico’s Santruce Crabbers surprised NBA fans but aligns with his need for competitive play during the NBA investigation period. Being unable to participate in the NBA does not bar him from overseas leagues, and the BSN offers a respected platform. Beasley, a Florida State alumnus, will use this period to refine his game and maintain readiness for a potential NBA return in the 2026-27 season.
History and Prestige of Puerto Rico’s BSN League
The BSN, Puerto Rico’s top-level basketball league since its founding in 1929, features 12 competitive teams island-wide and has a track record of producing NBA-caliber talent, including notable alumni Carlos Arroyo and J.J. Barea. The league also boasts a remarkable history of renowned coaches, such as Bernie Bickerstaff, Del Harris, P.J. Carlesimo, and Herb Brown. Phil Jackson, an 11-time NBA champion, coached in the BSN before joining the Chicago Bulls organization in 1987.
Puerto Rico’s rich basketball tradition extends further back, with legendary figures like Jack Ramsey, Tex Winter, and Red Holzman having coached teams in the BSN during the 1950s and 1960s, elevating the league’s profile as a development ground for future basketball icons.
Potential Outcomes and What Lies Ahead
Beasley’s decision to join the Santruce Crabbers under Bad Bunny’s ownership represents a pivotal chance to restore his professional trajectory after recent setbacks. His performance in the BSN could determine his readiness to reenter the NBA, where he previously demonstrated he can be a valuable offensive contributor. As the BSN season approaches, observers will be watching closely to see if Beasley’s time in Puerto Rico provides the platform he needs for a successful comeback.
Free agent Malik Beasley has signed a deal to play in Puerto Rico for Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny's team Santurce Crabbers, both parties tell ESPN. The team's season begins in March. Beasley has been under NBA and FBI investigations for gambling allegations. pic.twitter.com/HCBWUbWZj9
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 13, 2026
