Instagram/@mbeasy5
In the hours leading up to the season-era change, more questions began to arise about Malik Beasley. The veteran sharpshooter is left in limbo as an unsigned free agent. Along with the current entrepreneurial venture, the fans have been speculating on Malik’s basketball future ever since the player launched the NEW ERA apparel collection through his brand Flymb5, alongside the ‘OG SET’ and dad hats.
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Everything happens off the court while everybody wonders what exactly Beasley’s next move on the court will be. Malik Beasley launched the NEW ERA apparel collection through the Flymb5 brand on social media with some new apparel, including the OG SET and a few dad hats. “TODAY IS THE DAY,” Beasley stated in a social media post alongside photos of himself wearing the new apparel, urging followers to “join the wave” and place their orders now.
Could that fashion drop have dropped at a better time? ESPN first reported in late July that NBA training camps were set to begin at the end of July, followed by preseason games in early October. Up until now, Beasley has managed to remain the bigger name being one of the few free agents out there. This led to an interesting interaction in the comment section below the announcement, as business attempts collide with the basketball uncertainty.
A crescendo of desires from several Detroit Pistons fans flooded the replies. One mused wistfully over Beasley’s good run with the Pistons last season, plied with his valuable shooting off the bench: “Please come back to Detroit! We’ll miss you terribly if you don’t. We need you!” Another took a humorous stance: “When are you signing back to Detroit and we gotta get the number 5 back for you. Rookie didn’t know any better.” That took a jab at Ausar Thompson, the current Pistons player, donning Beasley’s former number 5.
Then there were those bars from that one fan who simply blurted, “Bro announcing everything but a signing.” That just about sums up the scenery-we’re at a point where Beasley is out here promoting everything in sight from his brand and side businesses while strategically keeping quiet about his basketball future, leaving his thirsty supporters beside him.
Family support came in the form of a comment from Beasley’s mom, Deena, who said, “These fits are dope, no cap! lol. ❤️mamabear,” which indicated even those closest to him are behind this collection.
However, mentions of ongoing off-the-court issues followed-there was one user who said, “Malik can you give us an update on the investigation, we really want you to be playing in our opener man” – this was a direct reference to the league’s review of Beasley’s situation, which may have affected Beasley’s free-agent market.
The divergent response only further testifies to Beasley’s conflicting predicament: the ability to grow his personal brand and interests on one hand, while still negotiating an uncertain professional basketball environment. Evident from his social media activity, Beasley is focusing on what he can control during this limbo time with his Flymb5 apparel line, which features streetwear looks with an athletic twist.
Beasley came to the professional ranks with a highly credentialed resume and has essentially proven himself over the years to be amongst the league’s best three-point sharpshooters, hitting a career percentage of 38 from deep, and averaging 11.5 points per game, achieved through eight NBA seasons. That deep-spot scoring ability really sells every rotation that he has played in over the years with Minnesota, Utah, the Lakers, and most recently, Detroit.
That this was still out there and unsigned so close to the season speaks either to some strategy in keeping games close to home or other lingering off-the-court hindrances. Either way, Beasley is at least ensuring that with this downtime, he is leaning towards pouring more energy into his business ventures, as do numerous NBA players who have created fashion and apparel brands during their playing careers.
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Currently, New Era is a clothing line, not the big reveal in basketball from Beasley. But since the regular season is just around the corner, the hope among the fans is that the two eras combine with a new beginning. The collection will be available through Beasley’s Flymb5 brand so that fans could sport some gear while waiting for the next-big-thing announcement as to where they will be watching Beasley at.