Malik Beasley, a prominent NBA sharpshooter who most recently suited up for the Detroit Pistons, is currently under federal investigation over alleged gambling activity tied to NBA games and player-specific prop bets during the 2023–24 season, multiple sources confirmed on Sunday.
The probe, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York, centers around Beasley’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this year. The 28-year-old averaged 11.3 points across 79 games that season, earning a career-high 77 starts. Investigators are reportedly examining irregular betting patterns on Beasley’s statistical performances, with at least one major sportsbook noticing suspicious activity beginning in January 2024.
One particular game that drew attention occurred on January 31, when the Bucks faced the Portland Trail Blazers. Betting lines for Beasley’s rebounds shifted dramatically, with odds on him recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds moving from +120 to -250. Despite the betting surge favoring the under, Beasley finished that game with six rebounds, and the wagers flagged as suspicious ultimately did not pay out.
Contract Negotiations on Hold Amid Investigation
Beasley had been in advanced discussions with the Pistons regarding a three-year deal worth $42 million, which would have kept him in Detroit following a resurgent campaign. However, those negotiations have now been paused in light of the ongoing federal inquiry, according to sources close to the situation.
“The Pistons are aware of the investigation involving Malik Beasley and will defer further comment to the NBA,” the team said in a statement to ESPN. Beasley’s legal representative, Steve Haney, emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that his client has not been charged.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Haney said. “Malik is afforded the same right of the presumption of innocence as anyone else under the U.S. Constitution. As of now he has not been charged with anything.” Haney also confirmed that he has been in communication with federal prosecutors managing the case.
NBA Cooperates as League Faces Growing Betting Scrutiny
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass confirmed that the league is fully cooperating with federal prosecutors. This latest development marks yet another instance of gambling allegations surfacing in the NBA. Earlier this year, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was investigated for irregular betting linked to a March 2023 game when he played for the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier has not faced charges or disciplinary action to date.
In a more severe case, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024. Porter was found to have intentionally altered his in-game participation to affect bet outcomes and subsequently pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. He later chose to plead guilty to federal charges related to the sports betting scandal.
Beasley’s Career Revival at Risk
Beasley’s 2024–25 season in Detroit had marked a significant personal comeback. He averaged a team-high 16.3 points over all 82 regular-season games, including 18 starts. Notably, he knocked down 319 three-pointers, setting a new Pistons franchise record and ranking second in the league behind Anthony Edwards.
The veteran guard shot 41.6% from beyond the arc and contributed 14 points per game in Detroit’s first-round playoff matchup against the New York Knicks. That strong performance positioned him as one of this offseason’s most attractive free agents—until news of the investigation emerged just one day ahead of the NBA’s free agency window.
Beasley entered the league in 2016 as the 19th overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. Since then, he has played for multiple teams, including the Timberwolves, Jazz, Lakers, Bucks, and most recently the Pistons. Beasley has had legal issues before. In 2020, during his stint with the Timberwolves, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence stemming from an incident in September that year. The NBA suspended him for 12 games in 2021 following the conviction, for which he served 120 days in jail during the offseason. Now, with another legal cloud looming, Beasley’s future in the NBA remains uncertain.
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