Pistons’ Malik Beasley reportedly being investigated for allegations of gambling
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Pistons’ Malik Beasley reportedly being investigated for allegations of gambling
Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley is being investigated by the U.S. District Attorney’s office for allegations of gambling on NBA games and prop bets. Beasley has not been charged, his attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN. The Pistons were in “serious talks” with Beasley, 28, on a new three-year, $42 million contract, but those are now on hold. Last season, Beasley averaged 16.3 points and shot 41% on 3-pointers, finishing second in NBA Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Beasley has not been charged, his attorney, Steve Haney, told ESPN.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Haney told Charania. “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.”
“We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass said in a statement.
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A prominent U.S. sportsbook noticed unusual betting activity on prop bets for Beasley beginning in January 2024, according to ESPN gambling reporter David Payne Purdum. Beasley was playing his lone season with the Milwaukee Bucks at that point. He started 77 games, scoring 11.3 points per game and shooting 41% on 3s.
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. That likely applies to any interest Beasley attracted as a free agent, as well.
Beasley is ranked No. 14 on Yahoo Sport’s NBA free-agency big board and the fourth-best shooting guard on the market by Morten Stig Jensen.
“Beasley signed just a one-year contract last offseason, outplayed it spectacularly, and now the Pistons are left with two options to keep him: find a way to create cap space to sign him into that, or see if he’ll bite on the non-tax [mid-level exception].”
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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. Beasley became the third player in NBA history to hit 300 3s while shooting at least 40% from behind the arc.
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 to move on both of those fronts.
NBA Player Subject Of Federal Investigation: Report
Malik Beasley has not been charged with anything, his attorney says. Beasley was reportedly in talks with the Detroit Pistons on a new three-year, $42 million contract. The Pistons confirmed that they were aware of the investigation and deferred comment to the NBA. The veteran guard had previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence.
Beasley, who spent the 2024-25 NBA season with the Detroit Pistons, was reportedly in talks with on a new three-year, $42 million contract to return to the franchise, however, the discussions have paused due to the investigation. The Pistons confirmed that they were aware of the investigation and deferred additional comment to the NBA in a statement to ESPN.
“We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said to ESPN on Sunday.
Beasley is coming off a season in which he averaged 16.3 points while appearing in all 82 games. The veteran guard had previously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of threats of violence and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, which was served after the 2020-21 NBA season, and suspended 12 games during the 2021-22 season, during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned by the NBA in 2024 after an investigation conducted by the league found that he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and placed wagers on games.
Malik Beasley being investigated due to gambling allegations
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. The Pistons had been discussing a three-year deal with Beasley, but those talks reportedly paused amidst the investigation.
The US District Attorney’s Office is investigating Malik Beasley due to gambling allegations related to NBA games and prop bets. (Shams Charania on Twitter)
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. Serious development surrounding one of the top NBA free agents. pic.twitter.com/U0W1QONYva
Fantasy Impact:
Beasley has not been charged with a crime, but it is a situation to monitor as he enters free agency coming up. The Pistons had been discussing a three-year deal with Beasley, but those talks reportedly paused amidst the investigation.