Malik Beasley at center of gambling investigation; Pistons pause deal talks with free agent, per report
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Malik Beasley at center of gambling investigation; Pistons pause deal talks with free agent, per report
Malik Beasley is the subject of a gambling investigation by the U.S. District Attorney’s office. Beasley faces allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets during the 2023-24 season as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. The NBA said it is “cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation” Beasley and the Pistons were in serious talks on a new three-year, $42 million deal, but those talks have been halted.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN. “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.”
In a statement, the NBA said it was “cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.”
Beasley and the Pistons were in serious talks on a new three-year, $42 million deal, but those talks have been halted, according to ESPN.
Beasley averaged 16.3 points per game this past season while playing in a career-high 82 games. He hit 319 3-pointers last season, which ranked second most in the NBA behind Anthony Edwards’ 320. Beasley shot a career-high 42% from beyond the arc, and became just the third player in NBA history to make 300 3s while shooting at least 40% from deep.
The 28-year-old entered the NBA as a No. 19 overall pick of the Denver Nuggets back in 2016. Beasley has also played games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers and Bucks before inking a one-year deal with Detroit last offseason.
Beasley was suspended for 12 games without pay in 2021 following his arrest and felony gun charge stemming from a September 2020 incident. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, three years of probation with no use of alcohol or drugs and mandatory completion of an anger management program.
This is not the first time an NBA player has been investigated for gambling on the league. Earlier this year, Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier was under federal investigation as part of a wider government probe into a sports gambling ring. Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was also banned from the NBA for life in 2024 due to his involvement in a gambling scandal. He pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy.
Top NBA Free Agent Could Lose $42 Million Amid Gambling Probe
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is reportedly under investigation amid a gambling probe. Beasley and Detroit were in “serious talks on finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract.” Those negotiations are now on pause. Should Beasley be found guilty of violating the league’s conduct policy, he’ll likely miss out on a major payday. In the past, sports betting has resulted in the dismissal of former NBA stars from the league.
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Top NBA free agent Malik Beasley is reportedly under investigation amid a gambling probe. It could turn into an extremely costly mistake should wrongdoing be uncovered.
We’ve seen these investigations lead to NBA bans in previous instances. Should Beasley be found guilty of violating the league’s conduct policy, he’ll likely miss out on a major payday.
Beasley has played nine professional seasons, the most recent of which came with the Pistons. After averaging 16.3 points per game, the second-highest output of his career, he was expected to get paid with a new deal this offseason.
Shams Charania reports that Beasley and Detroit were in “serious talks on finalizing a three-year, $42 million contract.” Those negotiations are now on pause.
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“Sources tell me that the US District Attorney’s Office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling on NBA games and prop bets. I’m told that it was allegedly during the 2023-24 season… As of now, he has not been charged of anything.”
Malik Beasley is now at the center of a gambling investigation. That probe revolves around NBA game wagers and prop bets dating back to the 2023-24 season.
In the past, sports betting has resulted in the dismissal of former NBA stars from the league. Most recently, Jontay Porter received a permanent ban after he was found to have manipulated outcomes involving his own prop bets.
He was proven to have prematurely exited games in order to ensure the “under” hit in multiple instances. He could also face prison time due to the NBA gambling scheme.
Shams Charania, who reported the news, has been adamant on clarifying that an investigation is not a charge. Malik Beasley has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing to this point. This is simply the process of uncovering the truth.
Should he be found guilty, however, he can kiss his $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons goodbye.