Malik Beasley, a outstanding NBA sharpshooter who most lately suited up for the Detroit Pistons, is at present below federal investigation over alleged playing exercise tied to NBA video games and player-specific prop bets throughout the 2023–24 season, a number of sources confirmed on Sunday.
The probe, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office within the Eastern District of New York, facilities round Beasley’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this 12 months. The 28-year-old averaged 11.3 factors throughout 79 video games that season, incomes a career-high 77 begins. Investigators are reportedly inspecting irregular betting patterns on Beasley’s statistical performances, with at the least one main sportsbook noticing suspicious exercise starting in January 2024.
One specific recreation that drew consideration occurred on January 31, when the Bucks confronted the Portland Trail Blazers. Betting strains for Beasley’s rebounds shifted dramatically, with odds on him recording fewer than 2.5 rebounds shifting from +120 to -250. Despite the betting surge favoring the below, Beasley completed that recreation with six rebounds, and the wagers flagged as suspicious in the end didn’t pay out.
Contract Negotiations on Hold Amid Investigation
Beasley had been in superior discussions with the Pistons concerning a three-year deal value $42 million, which might have saved him in Detroit following a resurgent marketing campaign. However, these negotiations have now been paused in gentle of the continued federal inquiry, in response to sources near the state of affairs.
“The Pistons are aware of the investigation involving Malik Beasley and will defer further comment to the NBA,” the workforce stated in a press release to ESPN. Beasley’s authorized consultant, Steve Haney, emphasised that the investigation continues to be in its early phases and that his consumer has not been charged.
“An investigation is not a charge,” Haney stated. “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 additionally 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 absolutely cooperating with federal prosecutors. This newest growth marks yet one more occasion of playing allegations surfacing within the NBA. Earlier this 12 months, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was investigated for irregular betting linked to a March 2023 recreation when he performed for the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier has not confronted fees or disciplinary motion to this point.
In a extra extreme case, former Toronto Raptors ahead Jontay Porter acquired a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2024. Porter was discovered to have deliberately altered his in-game participation to have an effect on guess outcomes and subsequently pleaded responsible to wire fraud conspiracy. He later selected to plead responsible to federal fees associated to the sports activities betting scandal.
Beasley’s Career Revival at Risk
Beasley’s 2024–25 season in Detroit had marked a major private comeback. He averaged a team-high 16.3 factors over all 82 regular-season video games, together with 18 begins. Notably, he knocked down 319 three-pointers, setting a brand new Pistons franchise document and rating second within the league behind Anthony Edwards.
The veteran guard shot 41.6% from past the arc and contributed 14 factors per recreation in Detroit’s first-round playoff matchup towards the New York Knicks. That sturdy efficiency positioned him as one among this offseason’s most engaging free brokers—till information of the investigation emerged simply in the future forward of the NBA’s free company window.
Beasley entered the league in 2016 because the nineteenth total decide by the Denver Nuggets. Since then, he has performed for a number of groups, together with the Timberwolves, Jazz, Lakers, Bucks, and most lately the Pistons. Beasley has had authorized points earlier than. In 2020, throughout his stint with the Timberwolves, he pleaded responsible to a felony cost of threats of violence stemming from an incident in September that 12 months. The NBA suspended him for 12 video games in 2021 following the conviction, for which he served 120 days in jail throughout the offseason. Now, with one other authorized cloud looming, Beasley’s future within the NBA stays unsure.
