Pistons’ Malik Beasley being investigated on allegations of gambling: Report
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Pistons’ Malik Beasley being investigated on allegations of gambling: Report
Malik Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney’s office on allegations of gambling on NBA games and prop bets. The Pistons were in “serious talks” with Beasley, 28, on a new three-year, $42 million contract, but those are now on hold. Beasley emerged as an impact player for Detroit as the team returned to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“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.”
Per Charania, the Pistons were in “serious talks” with Beasley, 28, on a new three-year, $42 million contract, but those are now on hold.
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Detroit selected Tennessee sharpshooter Chaz Lanier in the second round of last week’s NBA Draft and is reportedly among the top suitors for free agent guard Nickeil Walker-Alexander. This development with Beasley could potentially increase urgency for the Pistons on both of those fronts.
Last season, Beasley emerged as an impact player for Detroit as the team returned to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2019. Signing a one-year, $6 million deal, he averaged 16.3 points and shot 41% on 3-pointers, finishing second in NBA sixth man of the year voting.
Beasley’s 319 3-pointers made were second in the league behind Anthony Edwards’ 320 for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He became the third player in NBA history to hit 300 3s while shooting at least 40% from behind the arc.
Report: Pistons’ Malik Beasley subject of federal gambling investigation
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is reportedly being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney’s office on allegations of gambling. The alleged gambling relates to NBA games and prop bets. This comes as he’s set to enter free agency, and will presumably impact how teams view him. Last season with Detroit, Beasley averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the investigation. This comes as he’s set to enter free agency, and will presumably impact how teams view Beasley.
“BREAKING: The U.S. District Attorney’s office is investigating Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley on allegations of gambling related to NBA games and prop bets, sources told ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents.”
Malik Beasley has been in the NBA since 2016 when he was a first round pick of the Denver Nuggets. That came following his college career with the Florida State Seminoles. He has since played for six different NBA teams, the most recent of which was the Detroit Pistons.
Last season with Detroit, Beasley averaged 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. It was the second highest average point total he’d put together for a season in his career, trailing only the 2020-21 season that he played with the Minnesota Timberwolves and averaged 19.6 points. Along the way, he helped Detroit make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
That had, hopefully, been setting him up to earn a good contract this offseason. However, with the investigation, his future in the NBA is now up in the air.
A spokesman for the NBA, Mike Bass, shared a brief comment on the investigation. Bass said, “We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation.”
This story will be updated.