Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling by USA District Attorney: Federal authorities are probing Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley over allegations related to gambling on NBA games and prop bets, sources revealed to ESPN on Sunday.
The claims date back to the 2023-24 season when Beasley was part of the Milwaukee Bucks, according to sources. That season, Beasley maintained an average of 11.3 points across 79 games, setting a career record with 77 starts.
A major U.S. sportsbook noticed an abnormal level of betting activity on Beasley’s performance beginning in January 2024, a source within the gambling industry informed ESPN’s David Purdum. Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling by USA District Attorney.
Scope of the Federal Gambling Probe for Malik Beasley
A notable event cited by the industry source was a game between the Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers on January 31, 2024. Odds on Beasley grabbing fewer than 2.5 rebounds shifted drastically before the game, moving from around +120 to approximately -250 due to an influx of bets on the under. Despite this, Beasley ended the game with six rebounds, leading to losses for those making the unusual wagers.
“An investigation is not an accusation,” Beasley’s attorney, Steve Haney, stated to ESPN. “Malik is entitled to the presumption of innocence as with any individual under the U.S. Constitution. He has not been charged with any crime as of now.”
In a brief phone conversation with ABC News on Sunday afternoon, Haney mentioned he has been in contact with prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York’s Eastern District, which he believes is overseeing the investigation. Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling by USA District Attorney
At 28, Beasley and the Pistons were negotiating a three-year, $42 million contract to bring the free-agent sharpshooter back to Detroit. However, these discussions are now on hold, according to sources.
Impact on Malik Beasley Contract Talks with the Pistons
The Pistons informed ESPN on Sunday that they are aware of the investigation concerning Beasley but have deferred further comments to the NBA.
“We are cooperating with the federal prosecutors’ investigation,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass communicated to ESPN.
The nine-year veteran averaged 16.3 points while playing in all 82 games last season, marking his debut year with the Pistons. He successfully made 319 three-pointers, establishing a new record in the Pistons franchise history. Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling by USA District Attorney
Previously, former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter was banned following a league investigation that revealed Porter had shared confidential information with sports bettors and placed wagers on games.
NBA Betting Precedents and Historical Context
Earlier this year, it was disclosed that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier was under federal investigation for suspicious betting patterns related to a March 2023 game during his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets. Rozier has not been charged nor faced any sanctions from the NBA.
In 2020, while Beasley played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he admitted to a felony charge of making threats of violence, resulting in a 120-day jail sentence, served post the 2020-21 season. The NBA also suspended him for 12 games in 2021 due to the guilty plea.
Beasley has transitioned between several teams since the outset of his career with the Denver Nuggets and Timberwolves, making the Pistons his fifth team in four years. Malik Beasley Under Investigation for Gambling by USA District Attorney